Celebrities, business leaders and cabinet minister join call for tough action

Marks & Spencer has launched a virtual patchwork quilt which allows ‘patchers’ to push for decisive action at the UN Climate Change Summit.

The campaign, hosted at www.marksandspencer.com/PlanA, invites customers, employees, investors, suppliers and anyone concerned for the wellbeing of future generations to create an individual patchwork which includes a personal image and a message to those taking part in the Copenhagen negotiations.

The first person to ‘patch’ was Marks & Spencer Executive Chairman Sir Stuart Rose. In his message he says: “Copenhagen is a unique opportunity to do the right thing. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Other high profile ‘patchers’ that have already shown their support are Zac Goldsmith, Twiggy, Myleene Klass, Laura Bailey, Noemie Lenoir, Philip Glenister, and Erin O'Connor.

Ed Miliband, Secretary of the State for Energy and the Environment, is also supporting the campaign. He says: “I am happy to see M&S supporting its customers in taking action. That is important because we will need all the popular pressure we can get to strike a deal that is ambitious, effective and fair.

“The world cannot tackle climate change if we leave it to politicians alone. We also need people, companies, charities and every other group in society to act together.”

The final quilt and a physical representation will be presented to the Government in advance of the summit, which starts on 7th December.

Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A, says: “We chose a patchwork quilt as the concept for our campaign because it gives people the chance to be individual. Everyone has different concerns about the effects of climate change, from a fair deal for the poor overseas to preserving the rainforests, but the quilt enables us to bring these under one banner.

“To put it simply, the earth is getting warmer with many damaging consequences. Not taking action, or even delaying action, is simply not an option.

“Our ambition is to reach out to a mainstream audience and demonstrate to those involved in the COP15 event that the M&S family is engaged in the climate change debate. Climate change is no longer a fringe debate, UK high street shoppers care and are demanding action so it’s vital that we communicate this.”

The campaign was created by London-based agency Digit. Andy Chambers, Digit’s CEO, comments: “We were delighted that we could help M&S support this important event in a way that is surprising, involving, and human. Something that could, in a very crowded space, give them their own voice whilst remaining intuitive and familiar.”

Ends

Note to editors :

Plan A is Marks & Spencer’s 100-point, five year eco plan to tackle a wide range of environmental and social challenges. Launched in 2007, the plan is organised around five pillars which represent the key areas where M&S believes it can make its business both more sustainable and kinder to the environment. These five areas are: Climate Change, Waste, Sustainable Raw Materials, Health and being a Fair Partner.

For more information please visit www.marksandspencer.com/PlanA or download our latest How We Do Business Report from www.marksandspencer.com/corporate.

Further information :
Daniel Himsworth Corporate Press Office 0208 718 1618

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