Mars Commits a Quarter-Billion Dollars to Sustainable Technologies for Accelerating Net Zero Objective
Mars, the global confectionery and food manufacturer, has announced a significant move towards a more sustainable future with the launch of its $250 million Sustainability Investment Fund. The fund aims to address key areas that make up the core of Mars' environmental footprint: agriculture, ingredients, and packaging.
Focus on Agriculture, Ingredients, and Packaging
The new fund will focus on reducing emissions tied to farming, especially the use of fertilizers and animal feed, by supporting digital tools for record-keeping and satellite data for deforestation monitoring. It will also invest in regenerative agriculture projects across 29 countries, aiming to improve sustainability and resilience for farmers who grow crops such as cocoa, rice, almonds, and palm oil.
In terms of ingredients, the fund will finance research into low-carbon, plant-based proteins and alternative raw materials, directly aiming to reduce the climate impact of animal-based ingredients. The fund will also support the transition from flexible plastics to compostable and recyclable alternatives, seeking to advance circular packaging solutions at scale.
Impact on Agriculture, Ingredients, and Packaging
Projects under the fund have already led to certified sustainable practices for nearly 1,000 farmers, protected thousands of hectares of forest, and significantly improved water efficiency. For instance, a 17% improvement in almond irrigation and over 40% water reduction in rice farming pilots have been achieved. These efforts not only cut emissions but also enhance farmer livelihoods and ecosystem health.
The shift towards compostable and recyclable materials aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from packaging manufacturing while addressing microplastic contamination.
Contribution to Net-Zero by 2050
Mars' strategy links these investments directly to its 2050 net-zero ambition by addressing the largest sources of its emissions, over 70% of which come from agriculture and raw material sourcing. While the company has already achieved a 16.4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2015 alongside significant revenue growth, it aims for a 50% cut by 2030 across all scopes.
Key mechanisms include scaling proven solutions, innovation and traceability, and internal accountability.
Summary
Mars' Sustainability Investment Fund is a systemic effort to decouple business growth from environmental impact, leveraging innovation, partnerships, and accountability to accelerate progress towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The fund is poised to have a significant impact on Mars' carbon footprint, particularly in agriculture, ingredients, and packaging.
| Area | Focus | Impact on Net-Zero Goal | |----------------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Agriculture | Emissions reduction, digital tools, regenerative ag | Cuts emissions from biggest source, improves resilience | | Ingredients | Plant-based proteins, low-impact sourcing | Reduces GHG, water use, and supply chain risk | | Packaging | Compostables, recyclables, circular solutions | Lowers emissions from manufacturing, reduces pollution |
This investment is a testament to Mars' commitment to sustainability and its efforts to create a more sustainable future for all.
- Mars' Sustainability Investment Fund aims to focus on digital tools for record-keeping and satellite data for deforestation monitoring in agriculture.
- The fund will invest in regenerative agriculture projects across 29 countries, aiming to enhance sustainability and resilience for farmers who grow crops.
- Research into low-carbon, plant-based proteins and alternative raw materials is one of the key areas the fund will finance regarding ingredients.
- The fund will support the transition from flexible plastics to compostable and recyclable alternatives in the pursuit of advanced circular packaging solutions.
- With projects already leading to certified sustainable practices for nearly 1,000 farmers, the fund's impact is evident, protecting thousands of hectares of forest and improving water efficiency.
- The shift towards compostable and recyclable materials will help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from packaging manufacturing while addressing microplastic contamination.
- Mars' strategy links these investments to its 2050 net-zero ambition, addressing the largest sources of its emissions, which account for over 70% of the total.
- In addition to the Sustainability Investment Fund, Mars aims for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2030.
- This investment, driven by innovation, partnerships, and accountability, is a testament to Mars' commitment to sustainability and its efforts to create a more sustainable future for all.
