Marks & Spencer has announced a new partnership with Pilio to launch the Affordable Clean Environment (ACE) Cotton programme, aimed at expanding access to renewable energy and strengthening biodiversity across cotton-growing communities in India.
Cotton represents the largest share of M&S’s material portfolio, accounting for more than half of its total fibre mix. The new initiative forms part of Plan A, the retailer’s sustainability strategy, which seeks to protect and enhance biodiversity throughout its value chain.
The programme builds on existing progress in responsible sourcing. Since 2019, 100% of the cotton used in M&S clothing has come from more responsible sources, including Better Cotton (under Mass Balance and physical chain of custody), recycled or organic cotton. Home textiles are on track to meet the same target by 2025/26. The ACE programme goes further by directing investment into clean energy and nature-positive solutions within cotton-growing communities.
A central element of the initiative is support for renewable energy. The programme aims to unlock financing for both on-farm and off-farm solar technologies, helping to cut carbon emissions linked to cotton production while improving the long-term resilience and livelihoods of rural communities. Farmers will be closely involved in decision-making, with projects developed in partnership with local communities.
Working with farmers already licensed under the Better Cotton Initiative, the programme will also promote habitat creation and land restoration. This includes native planting for wildlife, waterway habitat areas and the development of nature corridors connecting agricultural landscapes.
Katharine Beacham, Head of Materials at M&S, said the programme builds on the retailer’s progress in responsible cotton sourcing by investing in clean energy and nature-positive practices that support farming communities and reduce environmental impacts.
Catherine Bottrill, Chief Executive of Pilio, said the partnership reflects a holistic approach that seeks to improve growers’ livelihoods while addressing climate change and biodiversity loss across supply chains.
