Mars, Inc. has reduced greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain by 16.4% compared to a 2015 baseline, according to the company’s 2024 sustainability report released last week. The company achieved a 1.9% emissions reduction last year alone, compared to the same baseline.
The McLean, VA-based multinational — which has created brands such as Snickers, Twix, Altoids, M&M’s and its namesake chocolate, Mars — said it was able to cut its carbon footprint without hindering its growth over the same time period. Since 2015, the company has grown 69% to around $55 billion in annual net sales, according to Mars’ sustainability report.
Mars attributed most of its reduced carbon footprint to an increased reliance on agricultural partnerships. The company said it supported over 60 climate-forward agricultural projects across 29 countries in 2024, which reduced carbon emissions and also enhanced soil health, improved water quality and water management techniques.
The company also reported strides in addressing deforestation, maintaining its land footprint compared with 2015, with a particular focus on cultivation practices for five raw materials: beef, cocoa, palm oil, soy, and paper and pulp.
Mars has built a legacy of long-term success rooted in purpose-driven and principles-led business practices.
As part of its corporate philosophy, success isn’t only about financial performance– it’s about achieving sustainable, high-quality growth while seeking to make a meaningful impact on society and fostering trusted partnerships worldwide to catalyze broader impact.
Guided by our Five Principles, Mars claims to take a results-focused approach to decision-making, with the goal that progress is measured by real outcomes rather than promises. The company’s commitment to responsible business practices affects not only its operations but also how the company engages with stakeholders—from suppliers and retailers to NGOs/civil societies, consumers and customers.
In 2017, Mars launched the “Sustainable in a Generation Plan.” Since that time, the company has remained focused on helping shape a future with a healthier planet, thriving people and pets and a more inclusive society.
“Business makes much possible,” Weihrauch continues. “It is an essential part of our communities and countries. It is the lifeblood of our economies and societies. I’m proud to lead an ever-growing and changing Mars, Incorporated. We are now approaching $55 billion, employing 150,000 Associates with our diversified portfolio of products and services enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people across nearly 170 countries.”
Mars launched the Sustainable in a Generation for Logistics (SiG4L) program to move towards decarbonizing transportation across our supply chain by optimizing logistics networks, adopting alternative fuels and shifting freight to lower-emission transport modes like rail and sea. A key milestone was the SiG4L Playbook, a global resource providing best practices and strategies to reduce emissions and improve freight efficiency, with pilot programs showing potential for significant carbon reduction.
In 2024, Mars focused on partnerships advancing innovative agricultural practices and deforestation-free supply chains. The company continued to grow the number of climate-smart agriculture projects to more than 60, covering 13 crops in 29 countries. Mars is working alongside its partners, helping them reduce energy usage in direct operations and adopt farming practices that regenerate soils and help farmers future-proof their businesses by making them less exposed to hazards such as flooding, drought or pests.
Highlights of some of our latest projects include:
Livelihoods Fund for Family Farmers (L3F): By 2024, 932 farmers in North Sumatra have received Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification, 2,031 hectares have transitioned to innovative agriculture practices and 8,000 hectares of forest have been protected by community-led conservation efforts.
KIND Almond Acres Initiative: Mars nearly doubled the acreage of its test pilot, and water data from year one of research shows a 17% increase in water use efficiency with subsurface irrigation.
Moo’ving Dairy Forward Sustainable Dairy Plan: Mars has committed $47 million over three years to help reduce GHG emissions in its dairy supply chain. By collaborating with farmers, suppliers and researchers, Mars is helping to drive meaningful, positive change in the dairy sector.
RESTORE project: Mars is supporting sustainable cocoa farming while protecting and rebuilding forests. This program increases tree cover, establishes landscape management boards and creates new earning opportunities for cocoa-growing communities.
Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative (SARI): Reaching 1,445 farmers across Roi Et and Central Plain in Thailand, 66% of whom are women, the program has increased rice production by 43% in Roi Et and 10% in Central Plain, while cutting water use by 56% and 41%, respectively.
Mars has for a long time implemented an approach that embeds sustainability into how it does business. In 2024, it expanded the number of leaders from the top 400 to approximately 2,000 who now have their long-term compensation tied to GHG emissions reductions alongside other more traditional business performance metrics, reinforcing its commitment to embedding responsible business practices at every level of the organization.
However, the CSO noted that delivering meaningful climate action requires collaboration with other players across the supply chain, such as governments, industry and farmers. “We know we can’t do this alone and so we want to bring our partners and peers along, as only large-scale change will deliver on our collective goals,” Child adds.
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