Skills Group Mars presents a detailed action plan for net zero and accelerating corporate climate action

McLean (USA) / Vienna. Mars, Incorporated unveiled its Net Zero Action Plan in mid-September 2023 with rapid action to address worsening climate change. In addition to concrete actions, the roadmap contains a new target verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (STBi): according to this, the globally active family company wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain by 50% by 2030 and save about 15 million tons (based on base year 2015).

With this ambitious target, Mars is strengthening its ongoing efforts to reduce emissions across the value chain to net zero by 2050. An additional $1 billion will be invested over the next three years. “Net zero” must be achieved through massive emissions reductions. All other emissions that are not saved are covered by high-quality emissions credits.

Paul Weyrausch, CEO of Mars: “Companies like Mars should be judged by the results we achieve on our climate plans and not just by the scale of the promises we make – just as our Board of Directors and investors base delivery on financial results and not on the quality of our financial forecasts.” “

Mars reached its peak emissions in 2018. To date, the company has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 8%, or 2.6 million tons, compared to 2015, while growing by 60% in the same period1. The company is building on this and aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The ambitious climate target should cover all areas of the business as well as the upstream and downstream supply chain (Scope 1,2,3): from field farming, logistics and transport, to… Production and sales facilities and veterinary clinics.

‘Now or never’: Consumers see companies as climate responsible
With its Net Zero Action Plan, Mars is following the findings of the UN-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which says radical action on climate change must be taken “now or never” to avoid “catastrophe”.

A recent Ipsos poll commissioned by Mars shows that an average of 69% of adults in the largest economies believe companies should focus equally (32%) or more (37%) on tackling climate change rather than on economic challenges. Among Germans (aged 16 to 75), more than a third (35%) say companies should focus more on climate change, while 33% say they should focus equally on both. 14,468 people participated in the survey in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Germany, France and India.

Mars prioritizes implementing accelerated climate action
The Mars Net Zero Action Plan outlines the details of how the ambitious goal will be achieved. In addition, the roadmap aims to be an open-source blueprint for other companies to implement immediate net zero measures. The main important points in the roadmap for Mars are:

– Balance sheet conversion to 100 percent renewable energy – in factories, offices, veterinary clinics and raw material procurement, as well as energy used by partners, retailers, consumers and pet owners at home – achieved through dramatic emissions reductions also as high-quality emissions credits

– Restructuring supply chains to protect forests – Stop deforestation through transparency and traceability of our raw materials/ingredients (e.g. cocoa, soy, beef)

– Expanding our environmentally friendly agriculture programs – Collaborating closely with farmers to re-naturalize soils and purchase renewable energy

– Review our recipes – Develop/use ingredients with a better environmental footprint for snacks and foods as well as use alternative proteins for pet foods

– Improving and optimizing logistics services – redesigning logistics networks as well as means of transportation and energy sources used by Mars, for example. B. By electric cars or by using green hydrogen
Embedding climate protection in the daily life of the company – in

– Corporate governance and planning, in investment planning processes, in merger and acquisition strategy, and including the net zero target in variable compensation plans for executives.

“Progress over the next seven years is critical” to the success of climate goals
Paul Weihroch, CEO of Mars: “2050 seems far away, but progress over the next seven years is crucial. My generation of CEOs has the role and responsibility to achieve real emissions reductions and transform businesses to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. That’s why Why Mars has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. We can’t wait for the economy to recover. We must continue to invest to protect our businesses today and for the future. Profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive. Investing in climate protection is not a compromise between the planet and productivity. “Or between the environment and employment. Consumers and our employees want both – and so do we. Investments to reduce emissions are sound business decisions. They are possible, affordable, and absolutely necessary.”

Barry Parkin, Chief Sustainability and Procurement Officer at Mars: “Mars has always been guided by science and tells us that we must reduce our emissions across the entire value chain by 50 percent by 2030. Science teaches us five key rules that our net zero roadmaps must take into account To achieve real change: for example, that we have no room for excuses or exceptions, and that we must put our results above commitments. By developing our roadmap, we have learned that this is possible with current science and technology and is financially viable. We can Growing our business and reducing our emissions I hope our action plan clearly shows what Mars is doing and, more importantly, what we believe needs to happen at scale to combat the worst impacts of climate change.