Reduced Emissions: How Mars Promotes Sustainability

One third of all global greenhouse gas emissions are related to the global food industry, according to the World Economic Forum.

The Sustainable in a Generation Report found that by the end of 2024, one of the world's largest confectionary firms, Mars, had 16.4% fewer emissions, whilst revenue grew by US$55bn. 

Alastair Child, Mars’ Chief Sustainability Officer, said: “We’re firmly committed not just to targets in a distant future but to delivering progress now. 

“In order to do this, societal impact goals have to be built into business decision making. And to continue to deliver progress consistently, we need systemic change across our supply chains, with governments, industry and farmers all playing a role. 

“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.”  

How did Mars lower its emissions?

Mars has been implementing strategies such as redesigning supply chains to address deforestation, scaling climate smart agriculture practices, optimising recipes, improving logistics and embedding climate action through the business.

Most notably Mars has tied 20% of its executives' remuneration to sustainability goals, to incentivise executives to meet sustainability commitments alongside financial targets.

Other successful Mars initiatives include: 

• Sourcing 58% renewable electricity currently, with a commitment by 2024 to be 100%
• 64% of consumer packaging is now recyclable/decompostable.
• In 2024 Mars launched Moo'ving Dairy Forward, a Sustainable Dairy Plan, committing US$47m for three years, aiming to reduce GHG emissions in the supply chain. 

“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,” says Amanda Davies, Chief R&D, Procurement and Sustainability Officer, Mars Wrigley.

“We know there’s more to be done and we know we can't do it alone. Here’s to continuing this important work together.

“This year's report features our continued efforts to decouple growth from emissions. In Mars Snacking, we're bringing that to life through programmes like Moo'ving Dairy Forward investing millions of dollars with our partners.”

What are the challenges Mars is facing?

Agricultural emissions remain one of its most significant challenges. Mars is aiming to transition to climate-smart practices and has supported 60 projects incorporating this. 

In the Sustainable in a Generation Report, Mars reviewed its water stewardship, saying: “our full value chain goal to halve our gap to sustainable water usage levels by 2025 is ambitious, we continue to anticipate that we will fall short of the 50% target we have been aiming for.”

“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.”

But there is a “36% reduction in the gap to sustainable water use in the value chain since the 2015 baseline.”

The people focus

Mars reported that its Livelihoods Ecosystem Advancement Program (LEAP) has a goal of at least 30% of participating farmers reaching a living income by 2027.

The Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative (SARI) shows that sustainability and income growth comes together – 1,445 farmers in Thailand have increased rice production between 10-43% in different areas, whilst water usage was reduced between 41-56%.

In 2024 Mars delivered 3.5 billion healthy meals, whilst reducing sodium by 5%.

“Business makes much possible,” says Poul Weihrauch, CEO, Mars. 

“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 evergrowing and changing Mars, Incorporated.” 

Poul has been CEO at Mars for nearly three years.

“Leadership is about delivering powerful results for people, pets and the planet while harnessing the power of business as a force for good,” he says. 
“Mars is committed to sustainable, generational growth.

“We take this responsibility seriously and we believe we don’t have to sacrifice performance to operate sustainably. In our new 2024 Sustainable in a Generation Report, we demonstrate how this is both true and makes good business sense.

“The power of the efforts listed in this report remains in our relentless focus on making progress through tangible actions. 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.”