Farting cows will be the focus of a £1million investment by Marks & Spencer as it throws money behind its push to get to net zero by 2040.
M&S said it would change what it feeds cows in its supply chain in an effort to cut around 11,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Changing the cows’ diets could reduce the carbon footprint of its fresh milk by 8.4%, according to the retailer, which is now working with 40 dairy farmers in its “milk pool” to bring the scheme to fruition.
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and has been blamed for warming the planet.
Agriculture contributes 40% of the world’s methane emissions, according to the Telegraph. Cows are a major source of the gas, which is produced during their digestion and released through wind.
Britain has pledged to reduce its methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 as part of national net zero plans and plans to make farmers across the country give methane-suppressing feed to cows.
'Plan A'
The M&S initiative is part of the retailer's 'Plan A' accelerator fund, which is designed to to help it achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
Inverurie beef farmer, Murray Forsyth, is one of seven farm enterprises from across the UK taking part in a seven-year programme that sees M&S collaborate with suppliers, industry and farmers to deliver rapid decarbonisation of livestock production through its Plan A roadmap.
M&S is investing a further £1million on other projects including using AI to manage its heating, ventilation and air conditioning in six stores in a bid to drive down energy consumption.
The trial could help to cut 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and reduce costs by £3million if it is successful and the methods are ultimately rolled out across all M&S branches.
Another trial will involve asking customers to donate unwearable clothes to Oxfam in store. The garments will be re-used and turned into new material.
Stuart Machin, M&S chief executive, said: “By turning our obsession with innovation towards climate change and tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit of our suppliers, we can turbo charge our drive to be a net zero business across all our operations and entire supply chain by 2040.
“I’m excited by the big difference these small changes could make to some of the toughest climate challenges we face.”