In January 2007, Marks & Spencer ushered in the era of the eco-plan – and with it a sense that a sustainable business model might prove itself adaptable to a broad range of retail and manufacturing industries.

More than two years later, the 100-point Plan A initiative has delivered much – from lower carbon emissions and green energy production to new ranges of Fairtrade, organic, recycled and energy efficient products.

And M&S can also say that the sustainability initiative has not lost it any money. Plan A is, in the company’s words, “cost-neutral”. That’s a pretty good start, but still the fundamental question remains: can a sustainable business model be both profitable and far-ranging?

Upcoming Ethical Corporation conferences & events:
How to manage Social & Environmental Risk in the mining, oil & gas, steel and other heavy industries
London, 22-23 March 2010 The Responsible Business Summit 2010
Novotel West Hotel, London, 4th – 5th May 2010 The Inaugural Ethical Corporation Awards
Novotel West Hotel, London, Evening of 4th May 2010
The Awards will be held at the Responsible Summit -
on the evening of the first day
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