US confectionery and pet-food giant Mars has set ambitious net-zero pledges, including a 2030 target for the first time. This aligns with the company’s commitment to contribute to positive changes in the food and beverage industry trends and actively address food and drink consumer trends. Mars aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 along its entire value chain, equivalent to approximately 15 million metric tons. These figures are based on a 2015 baseline.
Mars is dedicated to investing $1 billion over the next three years to drive climate action and accelerate progress towards achieving net-zero emissions. The company recently published its Net Zero Roadmap, a comprehensive action plan designed to guide its efforts.
By 2050, Mars aims to achieve net-zero, but the company recognizes the urgency of making considerable progress in the next seven years. As the CEO, Poul Weihrauch emphasizes the importance of demonstrating tangible emission reduction results and leading the business towards a clear path to net-zero by 2050.
In pursuit of its net-zero goals, Mars is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources, transforming supply chains to prevent deforestation, and collaborating with farmers on regenerative agriculture initiatives. Furthermore, the company has already achieved an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or 2.6 million metric tons since 2015.
Prior to the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland, Mars revised its net-zero target. Alongside the existing goal for 2050, the company announced a plan to reduce emissions by 27% by 2025. As of now, Mars has successfully reduced emissions by 7.3% since 2015.
Furthermore, Mars is committed to sustainable packaging solutions. In the UK, the company launched a trial for recyclable paper packaging, demonstrating its proactive approach to environmental responsibility.