M&S And Pilio Launch ACE Cotton Programme In India
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has partnered with sustainability solutions provider Pilio to launch the Affordable Clean Environment (ACE) Cotton Programme, an initiative aimed at expanding access to clean energy and promoting biodiversity-focused farming practices 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 ACE programme forms part of the retailer’s sustainability strategy, Plan A, which focuses on reducing environmental impact and protecting biodiversity throughout its supply chain.
M&S noted that since 2019, 100 per cent of the cotton used in its clothing has come from more responsible sources, including cotton certified under the Better Cotton Initiative, as well as recycled or organic fibres. The company is also working toward achieving the same target for home textiles by 2025–26.
A key component of the ACE Cotton Programme is enabling access to financing for on-farm and off-farm solar technologies, helping cotton-growing communities reduce carbon emissions linked to production while improving energy access and long-term resilience.
The programme places farmers at the centre of decision-making, ensuring solutions are developed collaboratively with local communities.
Working with farmers already licensed under the Better Cotton Initiative, the programme will also support nature-positive agricultural practices, including habitat restoration, native planting for wildlife, improved waterway habitats, and the creation of ecological corridors across farming landscapes.
M&S said the initiative aims to build healthier ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of cotton farmers and reducing the environmental footprint of cotton production.
