M&S Launches Biochar Pilot To Cut Farm Emissions

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has taken a significant step towards achieving its sustainability goals by launching an innovative carbon removal pilot program in partnership with Black Bull Biochar (BBB) and Avara Foods. This collaborative initiative centers around the use of biochar—a carbon-rich material derived from organic waste—within the poultry farming sector to reduce environmental impact and enhance animal welfare. The project is part of M&S’s broader commitment to integrate sustainable practices across its food supply chains and is supported by the retailer’s Plan A Accelerator fund.

The pilot, which will run from summer 2025 through to spring 2026, is being trialed on poultry farms managed by Avara Foods, one of the UK’s largest poultry producers. Through this initiative, M&S will purchase Biochar Carbon Removal Credits (BCRCs) as part of its strategy to decarbonize operations and support scalable carbon removal solutions. The core of the project lies in embedding biochar into poultry bedding and waste systems to not only reduce harmful emissions but also improve farming efficiency and soil health.

Biochar, when applied to poultry litter, has been shown to significantly reduce the release of ammonia—a common issue in poultry farming that impacts both air quality and bird welfare. The presence of ammonia in poultry houses can lead to respiratory problems in birds, reduced growth rates, and increased mortality. By incorporating biochar, the trial aims to create healthier living environments for the birds, ultimately enhancing their productivity and well-being.

Sam Laing, Innovation Manager at Avara Foods, described the potential of biochar as offering a “two-fold benefit.” In the first phase, it is expected to improve conditions inside poultry housing, reducing ammonia levels and supporting better bird health. In the second phase, once the manure enriched with biochar is spread on agricultural land, it is anticipated to improve nutrient retention in the soil. This dual benefit creates a closed-loop system that not only supports the farming process but also contributes to long-term soil regeneration and carbon sequestration.

Beyond improving bird welfare and soil quality, the initiative also addresses the pressing issue of carbon emissions in agriculture. Carbon removal is a critical component of net-zero strategies, and by investing in BCRCs, M&S aims to demonstrate how such credits can be effectively integrated into retail supply chains. The carbon stored in biochar remains stable for hundreds to thousands of years, providing a durable and measurable method of removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.

The project is one of several innovative ventures being supported by the M&S Plan A Accelerator, a program designed to fast-track sustainability innovation within the business and its supply partners. By investing in early-stage, scalable solutions, M&S hopes to create a model that can be replicated across the wider food retail sector.

“This collaboration proves that carbon removal can be practically applied within food production and retail supply chains,” said Laing. “It’s not just about carbon credits on paper—it’s about creating tangible, on-the-ground improvements that benefit the environment, animal welfare, and farm operations.”

The biochar pilot reflects a growing trend among UK retailers to explore climate-smart agriculture as part of their net-zero journeys. By working directly with suppliers and technology partners, M&S is positioning itself as a leader in driving sustainability beyond store shelves and into the very foundation of food production.

As the pilot progresses, insights from the trial will be closely monitored to assess its environmental and operational impact. If successful, M&S, Avara Foods, and Black Bull Biochar hope to scale the model, potentially encouraging adoption across other sectors of the retail and food production industries.

The outcome of this initiative could set a new benchmark in sustainable poultry farming, offering a replicable pathway to reducing agricultural emissions while improving the resilience and productivity of the supply chain. For M&S, it’s another step in its ambitious plan to lead the industry toward a more sustainable and climate-conscious future.

The project is one of several innovative ventures being supported by the M&S Plan A Accelerator, a program designed to fast-track sustainability innovation within the business and its supply partners. By investing in early-stage, scalable solutions, M&S hopes to create a model that can be replicated across the wider food retail sector.

“This collaboration proves that carbon removal can be practically applied within food production and retail supply chains,” said Laing. “It’s not just about carbon credits on paper—it’s about creating tangible, on-the-ground improvements that benefit the environment, animal welfare, and farm operations.”

The biochar pilot reflects a growing trend among UK retailers to explore climate-smart agriculture as part of their net-zero journeys. By working directly with suppliers and technology partners, M&S is positioning itself as a leader in driving sustainability beyond store shelves and into the very foundation of food production.

As the pilot progresses, insights from the trial will be closely monitored to assess its environmental and operational impact. If successful, M&S, Avara Foods, and Black Bull Biochar hope to scale the model, potentially encouraging adoption across other sectors of the retail and food production industries.

The outcome of this initiative could set a new benchmark in sustainable poultry farming, offering a replicable pathway to reducing agricultural emissions while improving the resilience and productivity of the supply chain. For M&S, it’s another step in its ambitious plan to lead the industry toward a more sustainable and climate-conscious future.