Barry at M&S goes extra 13 miles to save CO2

Individuals have pledged to cut their carbon emissions by more than 21,000kg after being inspired by Mike Barry, the head of Marks & Spencer's sustainability programme, Plan A

Ahead of running his first half marathon, Barry asked people to sponsor him by lowering their personal carbon footprints, rather than by promising cash.

Barry teamed up with The DoNation, an organisation that helps potential sponsors to cut their emissions by making lifestyle changes, such as committing to cycle instead of using a car, draft proof their home or eat less meat.

Sponsors sign up to change their habits for at least two months and DoAction calculates the amount of carbon that they will save.

Barry inspired 134 to make pledges that will result in carbon savings of 21,719kg. Sponsors included Nicky Chambers, CEO of sustainability consultancy Best Foot Forward, who is committed to dressing more sustainably by buying fewer new clothes and only buying organic cotton.

“I spend a lot of time working with large corporates to reduce their footprints but sometimes it’s good to be reminded that we can all do more on a personal level to make a difference,” said Chambers.

Barry said: "The whole DoNation process has been brilliant, everyone has been effusive about it and it really helped me keep going when training was tough to juggle and when the last two miles were horrible 129 voices kept shouting keep going".

Since The DoNation’s launch last year, more than 1,750 people have promised to take actions that will save 255,862kgs of CO₂.