The World We Want Tomorrow Starts with How We Do Business Today
As we reflect on the ominous findings of the United Nations recently released report on climate change, we find ourselves at a critical inflection point. Communities around the world already feeling the impact of climate change on their lives and local economies are now feeling an exponential impact in the face of an uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. And, while rebuilding of our global economy begins, we must not lose sight of creating a healthy planet on which we can all thrive.
At Mars, Associates around the world are feeling more empowered and committed than ever to continue delivering on our promise to combat climate change. The Mars Purpose — the world want tomorrow starts with how we do business today — drives the actions of more than 130,000 Mars Associates across the globe. Our Purpose now seems even more meaningful than ever.
Earlier this month, Mars announced its latest commitment to achieve net zero GHG emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, aligning with the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 °C, and further spotlighting our dedication to go ALL IN on climate change.
The new target includes all emissions, such as those created by agriculture and third-party suppliers, through emissions of consumers using our iconic household brands such as Ben’s Original, M&M’S and Pedigree. Other steps will include ROYAL CANIN®, Mars’ largest brand, announcing its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2025 — embarking on a new major initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take an immediate stance on changing the trajectory of climate change.
As a global business, with an environmental footprint the size of a small country, Mars is committed to help drive solutions needed to create a healthy planet. We are doing this through our Sustainable in a Generation Plan, our multi-billion-dollar sustainability investment in driving transformational change in our operations and throughout our supply chains. Launched in 2017, the plan is science-based and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in our fight against climate change.
To ensure we deliver on our Purpose of creating the world we want tomorrow, the company continues to prioritize and invest in innovative sustainability practices, including:
Redefining Our Approach to Packaging
As an industry leader in sustainable packaging, Mars, Incorporated is redefining our approach to packaging and our portfolio to design it to be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.
Inspired by this plan, Mars Wrigley and Danimer Scientific have launched a two-year partnership to develop home compostable packaging. It is our hope that the biodegradable packaging will combat littering. Consumers can look forward to this new packaging hitting retail shelves in 2022.
We’re also advocating for better recycling infrastructure. In the U.S, we’re working with the Circular Economy Accelerator and the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance at both the state and federal levels sharing our extended producer responsibility principles and with nonprofit partners like Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the OneSource Coalition.
Mars is ALL IN On Climate Policy Change
Mars recently reaffirmed that we are “All In” on changing the trajectory on climate change and committing to addressing sustainability challenges throughout our supply chains. America is All In — a joint commitment from national organizations, public figures and officials — aims to reduce emissions by 50–52% by the year 2030. We are proud to join a long list of influential organizations, leaders and companies to reaffirm commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change and pledge to partner with the Biden-Harris Administration, which has made ambitious commitments to tackle the climate crisis.
America Is All In On Climate — Are You? — YouTube
We are also honored to join with Ceres, a nonprofit organization transforming the economy to build a sustainable future for people and the planet, and several other leading global brands to participate in LEAD on Climate 2021, the third annual advocacy day bringing together U.S. businesses and investors to call for ambitious climate policy action.
A Fresh Approach
As a Purpose-led business, Mars is focused on making a positive impact on society. We know it is critical to recognize the role we play in driving systemic change, and we’re accelerating our commitment to supporting good causes, as well as inclusion and diversity, in our workplaces and communities.
A new global initiative, AdvanceMint, is a new approach Mars is navigating to advance plant science and invest in mint farms and their communities to ensure their crop thrives for generations. This new direction will help us achieve mint sustainability and better understand different agricultural footprints and different social, economic and environmental challenges.
We invite you to join us on our path forward in helping create the world we want tomorrow for people, pets and our communities.
