Marks & Spencer has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in recognition for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through Plan A.

The retailer's 100-point ecological plan was launched in January 2007 has led it to reduce carrier bag use, improve the recyclability of its packaging and focus on seeking alterative sources of power, rather than signing up to carbon offsetting schemes.

M&S's Plan A has to date made numerous 'green' energy achievements. They include improving store efficiency by 10% this year, by cutting energy consumption from 67.9kw hours per square foot in 2006/07 to 61.4kw hours per square foot.

Richard Gillies, Marks & Spencer's director of Plan A, said: We're making good progress on our Plan A commitments and this accolade is a great way of showing the action we have taken on climate change.

"Out commitment to make energy savings, increase our efficiency and source renewable power not only helps benefit the environment but makes us more efficient and delivers savings to our customers and our business."

The company has improved its transport fuel efficiency across its fleet of delivery vehicles by 20% on general merchandise and 23% on food products. It is using 241 aerodynamic 'teardrop' trailers, which are 10% more fuel efficient than conventional trailers.

The retailer's plans to replace HCFC gases and develop alternatives to HFCs used in refrigeration and air conditioning are also on track; while this year M&S signed a renewable energy contract with Npower.

The Carbon Trust Standard is awarded to a company that has proven a commitment to continuing to reduce its carbon footprint. Companies hold the standard for two years, when they must reapply and prove that they have continued to reduce their carbon emissions.

Tom Delay, the Carbon Trust's chief executive, said: "The independent recognition of Carbon Trust Standard proves that Plan A is having positive results, rewards the efforts of staff at every level and commits Marks & Spencer to continuous carbon reduction over time."

M&S aims to make its UK and Irish operations carbon neutral by 2012. It is also supporting work by the Carbon Trust to develop a carbon labelling scheme for consumer products and services.