Marks & Spencer has announced the launch of its inaugural sustainability innovation challenge for start-ups, with the retailer looking to work with tech-focused partners in its efforts to build a sustainable future and achieve its net-zero by 2040 goal.

Alongside the innovation and investment firm True, M&S’s Ignite team – the home of open innovation at M&S – is looking for ideas and technologies that can encourage more sustainable behaviours amongst its customers, as well as solutions that can help M&S achieve further efficiencies in its agricultural supply chains. The innovation challenge is the latest example of how M&S is taking action on the biggest sustainability challenges, including its focus on becoming a net-zero scope 3 business, following the reset of its sustainability programme Plan A in September last year. Its 2022 Sustainability Report, released alongside today’s announcement, captures the extent of the action taken over the past year.

Start-ups and scale-ups can apply to one – or both – of the two tasks, with the top solution for each chosen for a proof of concept and trial across M&S, with scope for further rollout.

1. Sustainable agriculture challenge
This task is about identifying innovative solutions that offer end-to-end process efficiency whilst promoting sustainability across the full agricultural supply chain. M&S is looking for businesses that can help it further improve its approach to sustainable farming so that it can continue to manufacture fantastic products with minimal impact on the environment and protect valuable resources. Find out more about this challenge and apply here.

2. Changing customer behaviours towards sustainability challenge
As part of its recently reset Plan A programme, M&S has taken responsibility for looking to the future and understanding and reducing its own impact. Helping customers recognise and reduce theirs too is also a critical part of delivering a sustainable future. After all, it isn’t always easy for consumers to understand how the decisions they make can affect the environment. This is why M&S is looking for technological innovations that can drive better engagement with customers and help them make more sustainable choices. Find out more about this challenge and apply here.