M&S, 2SFG & More: Net Zero Plans & US$68m for Agriculture

According to the UK Government, the number of undernourished people around the world is increasing due to poverty, conflict, climate change and food distribution.

The UK food industry is accelerating efforts to reduce emissions while strengthening domestic supply chains, food security and maintaining high animal welfare standards. 

One of the most significant levers for change lies in animal feed, particularly the reliance on imported soy linked to deforestation and high carbon intensity. 

2 Sisters Food Group has now set out a detailed roadmap to address these challenges as part of its NextGen Strategy. 

The plan combines measurable emissions reductions, investment in British agriculture and a reconfiguration of poultry feed to support its net zero by 2035 ambition.

Deforestation-free supply chains

A major component of the strategy is an expanded deforestation-free commitment that goes beyond traditional industry pledges. 

The company aims to extend premium payments to South American soymeal farmers to cover all land conversion, not just deforestation, helping to protect ecosystems such as native grasslands and support biodiversity. 

"This is a transformation moment for British poultry,” says Kate Stein, Group Director of Quality, Sustainability and Agriculture at 2 Sisters Food Group.

“By going beyond deforestation-free standards and backing British farmers, we're making a meaningful commitment to both the environment and animal welfare - building a sustainable, resilient food system for the future as part of our NextGen Strategy.”

By sourcing from farms where no deforestation or land conversion has occurred for more than 18 years, the GHG emissions associated with land-use change are significantly reduced. 

From July 2026, this approach aims to cut the carbon footprint of soymeal used across all poultry feed, including higher welfare chicken, by around 70%, marking a substantial step toward lowering Scope 3 emissions.

British-grown protein and reduced imports

Alongside its global sourcing commitments, the company is accelerating a shift toward domestic feed ingredients. 

Nearly one quarter (23%) of imported soymeal has been replaced with British-grown oilseed rape and beans, with 150,000 tonnes purchased annually from UK farmers. 

“Compassion in World Farming firmly believes in the rigorous pursuit of improvements to the welfare of farmed animals and the health of our planet,” says Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming.

“Never in our history has it been more urgent to build a resilient, sustainable food system with animal welfare at its heart. 

“This is a great step forward by 2 Sisters Food Group and clearly shows that higher welfare and sustainability can go hand in hand. 

“This demonstrates truly disruptive leadership, showing it is possible to make significant progress with speed.”

This represents a £50m (US$68m) injection into British agriculture, supporting rural economies while strengthening national food security. 

Over the past 30 years, the gradual incorporation of British ingredients has already reduced the carbon footprint of a 2 Sisters chicken by 15% compared with a standard soymeal-based diet. 

The transition also benefits 46,000 hectares of farmland through improved soil health, reduced reliance on artificial fertilisers and increased support for pollinators. 

Teresa Garcia-Moore PhD, Engagement Manager at AFi, says: “Aligning with the Accountability Framework, which is backed by the consensus of more than 20 environment and human rights organisations, helps ensure that buying commodities sourced from sensitive ecosystems is not contributing to deforestation or land conversion.”

The latest changes are expected to reduce emissions by almost 670,000 tonnes, equating to a reduction of more than 20% in Scope 3 emissions.

Advancing higher welfare production

The strategy includes a clear regional milestone, with plans to completely remove soymeal from chicken feed at the Coupar Angus facility in Scotland by the end of 2027. 

“M&S fresh chicken is 100% RSPCA Assured, and our Oakham Gold chicken is exclusively supplied by 2SFG: this latest move to more sustainable feed is a strong example of the innovative initiatives our supplier partners are rolling out to adapt farming practices to support the environment, whilst backing British farmers,” says Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food.

“The M&S Plan A for Farming supports long term resilience for farmers and switching to British-grown feed for chickens will support a wider network of growers in the UK as well as the journey to net zero.”

In its place, British-grown peas, seeds and beans will be used, demonstrating how local sourcing can fully replace imported protein in certain operations. 

This transition aligns with the company’s position as one of the largest producers of higher welfare chicken in Europe. 

All chickens are raised to Red Tractor standards, with 80% kept at lower stocking densities and a significant proportion meeting Better Chicken Commitment requirements, including the use of slower-growing breeds. 

“Co-op only sells and uses 100% British chicken, and it’s good to see further investment from our long-term partner, 2SFG, into UK agriculture so together we can make meaningful change,” says Matt Hood, Group MD, Co-op Food.

“British farmers are the backbone of the domestic food supply chain and, as an industry, it is imperative we build its resilience, alongside global supply chains, to maximise sustainability for now and the future.”

By integrating low-carbon feed across all operations, the company is aligning welfare and sustainability goals, enabling the expansion of higher welfare production while delivering measurable environmental gains in line with the Accountability Framework initiative.