Mars Builds Sustainable Supply Chain in Push for Net Zero

As one of the world’s leading companies in confectionery, food products and pet care, Mars operates with a substantial global footprint.

Mars, which owns popular brands like Snickers, Pedigree and M&M’s, employs more than 150,000 people across 80 countries, managing a vast and complex supply chain.

To address the environmental challenges associated with such scale, the US-based firm is implementing measures to address its impact.

Mars introduced its Sustainable in a Generation Plan in 2017, a strategy centred on environmental stewardship, empowering individuals and pet owners and promoting a more inclusive society.

The organisation consistently assesses progress against the plan's objectives. Key targets include a 50% reduction in total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2030, based on a 2015 baseline, and achieving net zero by 2050.

It also has a goal to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040. According to Mars, by 2024, it had realised a 16.4% decrease in GHG emissions and was sourcing 58% of its electricity renewably.

Emission reduction and supply chain strategies

Mars attributes its emission reduction achievements to initiatives such as climate-smart agriculture and efforts to create deforestation-free supply chains. By 2050, Mars plans to use high-quality carbon removal credits to offset any remaining emissions and neutralise its operational footprint.

Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mars, explains: “Sustainability at Mars is about ensuring we have an increasingly positive impact on society in the areas we are most material to and that are most material to us. Challenges remain, and progress will not happen in a straight line, but with innovation and collaboration, we’re proving that growth and sustainability can go hand in hand.”

Circularity and packaging innovation

A key focus for Mars has been investing in sustainable materials and developing circular solutions for its product packaging to lessen its environmental impact.

Mars states that achieving full circularity for its products depends on the existence of adequate waste management, collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure.

To this end, Mars is collaborating with governments and non-governmental organisations to help facilitate this necessary change.

An example of this strategy in action is the 2025 launch of a new mono-material pouch for its Whiskas pet food brand in the UK and Germany. This packaging is engineered for recyclability and is compatible with either current or developing recycling infrastructures.

The transition to this new material has resulted in a 46% reduction in the packaging's carbon footprint.

“We want to contribute to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste,” says Elisabetta Pierangelo, Vice President of R&D at Mars Pet Nutrition.

They add: “The transition to mono-material pouches has required innovative material science, and we will continue to drive innovation in packaging to help build the world we want tomorrow.”

Agricultural emissions and land stewardship

For a manufacturer like Mars, agricultural emissions represent one of the largest operational challenges.

In 2024, Mars supports over 60 projects that employ climate-smart agricultural practices. These methods are designed to lower GHG emissions, regenerate soil health or achieve both within the supply chain.

Land use change is another contributor to its value chain emissions, with deforestation and the conversion of natural ecosystems presenting risks to both nature and society. Mars has committed to responsible land stewardship, stating it has not increased its total land footprint since 2015.

To monitor its progress, the business intends to use geospatial satellite data to track and assess emissions across its supply chain. This technology allows Mars to trace products, evaluate deforestation risks, engage suppliers and check for regulatory compliance.

Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, says: “Resilient businesses that endure the test of time are those who invest to continuously adapt, while being mindful of their impact on both people and the planet.

"At Mars, we take this responsibility seriously, and we believe we don’t have to sacrifice performance to operate sustainably.”