How Mars is Contributing to a Healthier Planet
A third of all global greenhouse gas emissions are tied to the food industry, as indicated by the World Economic Forum.
However, Mars' Sustainable in a Generation Report outlines how the multinational manufacturer has achieved a 16.4% reduction in emissions as revenues climbed to US$55bn by the end of 2024.
Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mars, states: “We’re firmly committed not just to targets in a distant future but to delivering progress now.”
Alastair emphasises the importance of integrating societal impact goals into business decisions, advocating for systemic change across supply chains with the combined efforts of governments, industries and farmers.
“We know we can’t do this alone and so we want to bring our partners and peers along, as only large-scale change will deliver on our collective goals,” he adds.
Strategies for emission reduction
Mars has adopted a multi-faceted strategy including redesigning supply chains to combat deforestation, enhancing climate-smart agriculture and optimising logistics. A notable approach has been linking 20% of executive compensation to achieving sustainability objectives, encouraging meeting sustainability targets alongside financial goals.
Major initiatives by Mars include sourcing 58% renewable electricity, with an aim to reach 100% by 2024. Additionally, 64% of its packaging is either recyclable or compostable.
Mars has also launched Moo'ving Dairy Forward, a sustainable dairy initiative that commits US$47m over three years to reduce GHG emissions within its dairy supply chain.
Amanda Davies, Chief R&D, Procurement and Sustainability Officer at Mars Wrigley, expresses her pride in their progress, attributing success to partnerships: “I’m super proud of the progress we’re making and, importantly, of the critical role partnerships continue to play in helping us contribute to a healthier planet and thriving communities.”
She emphasises ongoing efforts to decouple growth from emissions through initiatives such as the aforementioned Moo'ving Dairy Forward.
Challenges on the horizon
How to curb agricultural emissions represents one of Mars' more daunting challenges. The company is transitioning to climate-smart practices and has backed 60 projects in this domain.
In its report, Mars outlines ambitious water stewardship goals, aiming to reduce inefficient water usage by half by 2025.
It states: “Our context-based target is helping to shape our forward-looking water stewardship programs to focus on locations and activities where our usage is most impactful and where water stress is greatest."
The report highlights a "36% reduction in the gap to sustainable water use in the value chain since the 2015 baseline," demonstrating progress despite the hurdles.
People-centric initiatives
Mars is driving its Livelihoods Ecosystem Advancement Program (LEAP), aiming for 30% of participating farmers to reach a living income by 2027.
The Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative (SARI), showcases successful integration of sustainability and income growth, leading to increased rice production and substantial water savings in Thailand.
In 2024, Mars also delivered 3.5 billion healthy meals while reducing sodium by 5%.
Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, remarks: “Business makes much possible. It is an essential part of our communities and countries. It is the lifeblood of our economies and societies. I’m proud to lead an ever-growing and changing Mars.
In its report, Mars demonstrates how sustainable initiatives align with business performance and empower the wider industry to take action.
“The power of the efforts listed in this report remains in our relentless focus on making progress through tangible actions," Poul goes on.
"A lot of it is down to the varied and inspiring achievements of our incredible 150,000 associates, who, in collaboration with our suppliers, customers and partners, are making a positive difference every day.”
