Perhaps it’s unsurprising that sustainability is a topic near Ben Fogle’s coronary heart. The presenter, author and adventurer has, in spite of everything, travelled to among the most distant and pristine locations on Earth – locations that we should always actually be doing our utmost to guard. “All of us play a pivotal function in the way forward for our planet,” he says. “Fascinated by sustainability is important.” And but, regardless of his globe-trotting escapades, Fogle’s curiosity lies within the adjustments we will make a lot nearer to residence, notably in terms of the place and the way we store.

Meals manufacturing has an affect, from carbon footprint to land use; from how meals is farmed and processed to transportation and packaging. With so much at stake, it’s our duty as shoppers to analyze the place we’re spending our hard-earned money, argues Fogle. “Our procuring decisions do make a distinction,” he says. “It’s tremendous essential that we all know the place our meals comes from and the way it’s produced and perceive the affect on the atmosphere and other people. Understanding the tales behind what we’re shopping for isn’t just concerning the fast advantages but additionally about defending assets for future generations.”

It’s why the Unintended Adventurer writer has teamed up with M&S Meals as an Ambassador for its Plan A initiative. First launched in 2007, this sustainability programme was designed to cut back the retailer’s affect on the planet. Right this moment, it has developed to concentrate on working in the direction of turning into a web zero enterprise throughout its whole provide chain by 2040.

There are the sensible steps – M&S has eliminated greater than 400 million items of plastic from its vary of packaging, redistributed over 85 million meals through 3,000 Neighbourly area people partnerships, and paid extra Fairtrade premium for tea and occasional than some other retailer.

Then there are the extra experimental, forward-thinking options that will probably be very important in reaching the formidable 2040 goal. The M&S Plan A Web Zero Accelerator Fund, which the retailer launched to search out innovation initiatives to allow fast motion in the direction of web zero has supported a trial of autonomously farmed parsnips to cut back carbon and enhance crop high quality and amount.

M&S has at all times been an innovator in terms of stepping as much as the sustainability problem; it was the primary nationwide retailer to cost for single use plastic baggage in 2008, and extra not too long ago swapped all chargeable baggage from plastic to paper, eradicating over 55 million models of plastic.

It’s these seemingly small adjustments that he’s most impressed by: the way in which M&S grew to become the primary UK retailer to make use of FSC licensed paper packaging on chosen garlic baguettes, eradicating 5.5 million models of plastic from Foodhalls. Additionally, that M&S Café was the primary to launch paper fibre cups and lids that are simply recyclable in paper recycling. He does after all at all times encourage individuals to not neglect their reusable cup and get 50p off sizzling drinks within the Café!

However Fogle additionally will get excited by tales of empowerment and entrepreneurship. M&S’s A Cup of Ambition™ management coaching and growth scheme, for instance, empowers formidable espresso growers. “I liked the story of one of many espresso growers in Peru, Kely, who invested in new gear and doubled her beehives, rising her enterprise and her household’s revenue,” he enthuses. “Extra bees imply extra pollination for her espresso crop, serving to Kely to extend her espresso harvest.” He additionally cites a narrative about espresso farmers in Brazil who used their Fairtrade Premium to put in photo voltaic panels for his or her espresso manufacturing centre so it could possibly run on clear vitality. “Any further vitality is then used to energy the native hospital and neighborhood,” says Fogle.

Changing into an Ambassador wasn’t solely about sustainability although; Fogle’s relationship with M&S goes method again. “M&S is in my DNA, ever since I used to be younger I’ve eaten M&S Meals. In reality, on my expedition up Mount Everest, Percy Pigs had been my energy supply!” he admits.

Ben concludes, “Taking the time to know the values of the retailer you might be procuring in, and the funding they’re making to work in concord with nature and defend the individuals they work with, cut back carbon and meals waste is essential. In any case, we solely have one planet.”