Net Zero Festival Spotlight: Mike Barry, consultant and former M&S sustainability director

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 1 min read

VIDEO: Leading green economy figures offer their candid views on what net zero means to them ahead of the Net Zero Festival 2021

Mike Barry is a veteran of the UK's sustainable business movement, having played a steering role in the creation and implementation of Marks & Spencer's ground-breaking Plan A sustainability programme back in 2007.

During his time leading on M&S's sustainability efforts, Plan A evolved to become a change management programme and helped the firm achieve zero-waste-to-landfill status, switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity, and achieve carbon neutrality across its global estate of stores, offices and warehouses.

Barry also helped the retailer engage in some of the business world's leading sustainability forums and groups, including the World Economic Forum, the Consumer Goods Forum and Business in the Community. 

With the Net Zero Festival less than a week away, Barry reflects on two decades working on businesss decarbonisation, how being a parent galvanises his work, and why he would invest $100m in regenerative agriculture.

Barry will be speaking during day one of the Net Zero Festival as part of a panel exploring how to build net zero supply chains.

Have you secured your tickets for the Net Zero Festival 2021 yet? Interested parties can sign up now for a free pass here

More on Management

Women in Net Zero: New UK professionals network unveils founding board members

Women in Net Zero: New UK professionals network unveils founding board members

New initiative chaired by Mel Andrews aims to empower women enabling the UK's transition to net zero

clock 30 July 2025 • 2 min read
Survey reveals hit to businesses' net zero confidence

Survey reveals hit to businesses' net zero confidence

Annual BSI Net Zero Barometer reveals growing concerns over ability to meet net zero targets, as execs step up call for more support

James Murray
clock 22 July 2025 • 5 min read
'UK first': Edinburgh International Festival achieves BSI Net Zero Pathway verification

'UK first': Edinburgh International Festival achieves BSI Net Zero Pathway verification

World famous festival becomes first arts organisation in the UK to be certified to BSI net zero standards

Stuart Stone
clock 18 July 2025 • 2 min read