(Public report) Mars wants the CO2halve emissions across the entire value chain by 2030 – a reduction of around 15 million tonnes. The company will continue to invest in climate initiatives despite the weaker global economy.
“It is now or never”
Over the next eight years, Mars aims to halve its carbon emissions to accelerate its reach to net-zero emissions by 2050. The maker of brands such as Ben’s Original™, Pedigree® and Twix® reached its highest emissions peak in 2018 and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms. terms have already been reduced by 8% or 2.6 million tonnes compared to 2015, while the company has grown by 60% during that period. Over the next three years alone, the brand is investing $1 billion to drive climate action – from farm to table, from feeder to store, and from home to veterinary clinic.
Mars comes up with this plan following the recent findings of the UN-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that it is ‘now or never’ to take drastic action on climate change to prevent a ‘disaster’.
Consumers are also asking questions: a 2023 Ipsos survey, commissioned by Mars, shows that despite the current difficult economic conditions, on average 69% of adults in the world’s seven largest economies believe that companies are equally concerned (32% ) or more (37%) should focus on tackling climate change rather than economic challenges. The study included 14,468 people in the US, UK, China, Japan, Germany, France and India.
“Feasible, affordable and necessary”
“2050 may seem far in the future, but the progress we make over the next seven years is crucial. My generation of CEOs has the opportunity and responsibility to deliver real emissions reductions and put companies on a clear path to Net Zero by 2050,” says Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars.
“We can’t wait for the economy to improve; we must continue to make investments that protect our business today and into the future. As I’ve said before, profit and purpose are not enemies. Investing in the climate is not a trade-off between the environment and productivity, or between the environment and employment. Consumers and our partners clearly want both – and so do we. Investing in emission reduction equals a healthy business policy, it is feasible, affordable and it is absolutely necessary.”
How Mars wants to accelerate Net Zero:
– Switch to 100% renewable energy – by addressing the energy supply of its factories, offices and veterinary clinics, of its farmers, and even the energy used by customers (retailers), by consumers and pet owners at home.
– Redesigning supply chains to halt deforestation – by improving transparency and traceability of key ingredients such as cocoa, soy and beef.
– Scaling up initiatives in climate-smart agriculture – by working with farmers on regenerative agriculture, optimizing purchasing and switching to renewable energy sources.
– Optimizing recipes – developing new ingredients with lower emissions, for snacks and dishes for human consumption, as well as alternative proteins for pet food.
– Improve and optimize logistics – redesigning the transport chain, the transport type (trucks, inner canal…), transport that Mars relies on and the energy sources used, such as the electrification of vehicles or the use of possible green hydrogen.
– Embedding climate action into the business – integrating climate reduction into policy and business planning, by including it as a target for shareholders, in variable compensation plans of senior executives, in investment planning processes, in the mergers and acquisitions strategy, etc.
Anyone interested in learning more about Mars’ Net Zero strategy and roadmap can download the document at www.mars.com/netzero2050.