M Group launches 2027-2032 Sustainability Strategy
M Group has unveiled its first sustainability strategy, setting science-based targets to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 intensity by 51.6%.
M Group has unveiled its first sustainability strategy covering 2027-2032. The plan is built on a Double Materiality Assessment endorsed by the company board and conducted with independent sustainability advisers ERM. The Group Operations Board has also endorsed the strategy.
The strategy focuses on seven material outcomes across three pillars: Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, and Trusted Operations. Each outcome now has a headline target for FY2029, alongside defined performance indicators and concrete priority actions from FY2027-2029. M Group published an accompanying ESG report setting out progress made so far.
Emissions reduction commitments
The strategy sets science-based targets to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 intensity by 51.6% by FY30. These targets build on a 20.7% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 emissions since FY2022. The Scopes 1 and 2 targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative in 2024.
Since 2020, emissions intensity has fallen over two-thirds. Carbon intensity reduced from 50 to 16 tonnes of CO2e per £1 million of turnover. Purchased goods and services account for 91% of the company’s total measured emissions. M Group is replacing spend-based emissions estimates with supplier-specific carbon factors and has appointed a head of sustainable procurement to lead that process.
Fleet and skills targets
By 2030, M Group aims for 100% of its company cars to be electric. The company also targets 80% hybrid operational cars and around 20% electric vans by the same date.
Other headline targets in the 2027-2032 strategy include boosting employee engagement to at least 80% by FY2029. The company aims to grow apprenticeships to more than 6% of its workforce. Non-field colleagues are to receive seven annual training days. The FY2026 ESG Report records that 642 apprentices and 87 graduates are on programmes, with £7.5 million invested in training.
Accountability and reporting
Progress on the strategy will be reported annually. Executives have been named to own and be accountable for the different outcomes. Material topics are placed inside the same governance machinery as every other principal risk the Group manages. ESG metrics are now an agenda item at M Group's Risk Board.
The strategy commits to aligning reporting with the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards with external assurance over key data by FY30.
External recognition and progress
M Group targets achieving an EcoVadis Silver rating by the end of FY27. Its EcoVadis score has already improved from 56 to 64, placing it in the top 35% of companies globally. The company's Technology and Communications division is in the top 15% of companies assessed by EcoVadis.
The FY2026 ESG Report records zero work-related fatalities, with accident and lost-time injury rates below industry averages. At least £75 million of social value was recorded, and 1,098 supply chain partners were evaluated and approved by the Group.
M Group plans to re-baseline and re-submit its Scopes 1-3 targets to the Science Based Targets initiative in the next financial year. The company also aims to launch its Climate Transition Plan internally during that period.
