Marks & Spencer has launched a new challenge for its 14 million Spark members that encourages a low-carbon diet to save money and live sustainably.
The two-month “Sparking Change National Challenge” will give members access to plant-based recipes, practical tips and a Sparks Live cook-along event.
M&S announced it will provide ideas for incorporate plant-based protein meals in January, whilst also discounting its meat-free Plant Kitchen range every Monday of the month for members.
In February, the retailer said it will focus on its “More Taste, Less Waste” initiative, which aims to help families with to reduce food waste at home while saving up to £20 on their weekly shop.
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The news comes as M&S released its behavioural results in its Sparking Change pilot, where they partnered Hubbub and followed the consumption habits of 100 customer and colleague families for nine weeks.
The pilot focused on four areas, protein from plants, cutting on food waste, cooking from scratch and sustainable living beyond the kitchen.
After three months of where participants received expert tips, recipes, cook-alongs and a session with a nutritionist, data showed 90% of participants ate less meat, and wasted less food.
Additionally, 39% of participants saved on average £22 a week, left 70% feeling healthier and 75% eating more seasonally.
“Eating more sustainably needn’t be complicated or expensive – there are simple steps we can all take to reduce our impact on the planet,” M&S nutritionist Sophia Linn said.
“Our Sparking Change Challenge is designed to help customers make small changes that can easily be incorporated into their day to day lives and make it stick for the long term.”
M&S has committed to be a “fully net zero business” by 2040 and the Sparking Change research pilot and National Challenge is part of the retailer’s ongoing commitment to innovate and invest in low-carbon services.
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