Energy sector experts from Burges Salmon have advised Marks & Spencer (M&S) in relation to its sector-leading use of biomethane.
M&S will become the first retailer in the UK to purchase Biomethane Gas Certificates, a move that will lower its carbon footprint by over 6,400 tonnes, following completion of a deal with biogas plant construction and operation specialist Future Biogas.
Following on from advising M&S on its award-winning direct power purchase agreement portfolio, Burges Salmon developed and advised long-standing client M&S on a novel green gas certificate purchase contract that is underpinned by the gas supply arrangements between FBG and M&S’s licensed gas supplier.
Gio Patellaro, M&S Head of Energy Supply & Risk, said: “Over the past couple of years, M&S has worked tirelessly to improve its carbon efficiency and innovate in sustainability. As the first UK retailer to source biomethane in this way, we are blazing a trail in the market place that we hope others will follow. With the help of Future Biogas, this deal takes us one step further in our commitment to ensure 50% of the energy used in M&S buildings comes from certified green biomethane sources by 2020.”
The biomethane will be sourced from the Vulcan Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant near Doncaster, which is operated by Future Biogas.
Energy partner Nick Churchward leading the Burges Salmon team advising M&S was assisted by Climate Change and Emissions Markets senior associate Rachel Blackburn and Energy associate Sam Sandilands.
Nick said: “We are delighted to have advised M&S on this its first green gas deal. M&S's approach to energy contracting is not only successfully delivering its ambitious Plan A commitments, but also really helping to shape the way large corporates buy renewable energy, and we are proud to be a part of that.'