Acting with purpose for sustainability
Mars is transforming the way we do business. From replacing plastic packaging with eco-friendly materials, to advancing global research on critical food safety challenges, to rethinking where and how we buy our raw materials, we are constantly innovating to drive positive change for people and the planet.
We know incremental steps won’t be enough to reverse the damaging trends of climate change, water scarcity, poverty and other pressing issues. We are taking purposeful action, informed by science and in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, to grow sustainably.
Since launching our Sustainable in a Generation Plan in 2017 with an initial $1 billion investment, we have made progress to curb our environmental impact, meaningfully improve lives in the workplaces, supply chains and communities where we work, and help billions of people and their pets lead healthier, happier lives today and into the future.
We focus our work in three key areas:?Healthy Planet, Thriving People and Nourishing Wellbeing. Here’s how we put our purpose into practice today to create a better world tomorrow.
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2019 Sustainable in a Generation scorecard
See how far we’ve come toward our Sustainable in a Generation ambitions. Download our PDF scorecard.
How we’re reducing our environmental footprint
Healthy Planet
Mars is reducing our total environmental impacts in line with what science says is necessary to keep the planet healthy. We are taking a data-driven approach to drastically shrink our environmental footprint and fight climate change, water stress, deforestation and unsustainable use of packaging.?
-3.5%
Greenhouse gas emissions
Our goal: Reduce total greenhouse gas emissions across our value chain by 27% by 2025 and by 67% by 2050.*
-19.8%
Water use
Our goal: Eliminate unsustainable water use in our value chain, starting with a 50% reduction by 2025.*
+2.3%
Land management
Our goal: Hold flat the total land area associated with our value chain.*
2019 baseline year
Packaging
Our goal: Develop eco-friendly packaging that is reusable, recyclable or compostable while decreasing virgin plastic use by 25% by 2025.+
* Tracked against 2015 levels.
+ Tracked beginning in 2019.
How we support individuals’ rights and livelihoods
Thriving People
Our business will thrive for generations to come only if the millions of people who contribute to our success thrive too. We are committed to meaningfully improving the lives of 1 million people in our value chain by providing opportunities to enhance their livelihoods and by respecting their human rights.
169,000 people
On the path to meaningful improvement
Our goal: Farmers, workers, women and children covered by programs designed to improve human rights and incomes.
108,000 farmers
Farmer income
Our goal: Farmers covered by programs that combine good agricultural practices, access to inputs, the latest plant science and/or other ongoing engagement designed to help increase their incomes. ? ?
100% HRDD
44,000?people
Human rights
Our goal: Human rights due diligence (HRDD) activated in all Mars manufacturing sites; people covered with programs to improve conditions in supplier factories; and households covered in our cocoa supply chain with systems to prevent and address child labor.
17,000?women
Women’s empowerment?
Our goal: Women engaged in our cocoa and mint supply chains with economic empowerment programs designed to boost their savings rates and entrepreneurial skills.
How we help people and their pets lead healthier lives
Nourishing Wellbeing
Good nutrition, health and wellness are essential. We use our global reach to supply healthy meals, support the wellbeing of our Associates, improve our products’ nutritional value, advance food safety science, and ensure the transparency and responsible marketing of our foods so consumers can make informed choices.
1?billion
Healthy meals
We have exceeded our ambition to deliver one billion more healthy meals on dinner tables around the world by 2021.
98% placement compliance
95% content compliance
Transparent information
Our goal: Achieve at least 97% media placement compliance in our top 14 markets across TV, other broadcast channels, digital and social media, and achieve at least 95% media content compliance in our top 18 markets.++
34% of sites
Associate health and wellbeing
Our goal:?Increase the proportion of large (>100 Associates) Mars sites worldwide with the 10 fundamentals of a healthy, energizing work culture established to at least 95% by 2023.***
Published research on our three focus areas.
Food safety and security
Our goal: Through the Mars Global Food Safety Center, address three long-term food safety challenges: mycotoxin risk management, microbial risk management and food integrity.
** Tracked against 2015 level.
++Learn more about responsible marketing.
*** Tracked against 2017 level.
Our Sustainable in a Generation Plan in Action
Here are just a few of the ways we’re working toward these important goals today — and the exciting progress we’ve made so far:
Mars
Grant Reid Signs the U.N. Women’s Empowerment Principles
News & Stories ? November 17th, 2020
Mars
Cocoa for Generations puts cocoa farmers first
News & Stories ? October 26th, 2020
Mars
Reflections from the 75th United Nationals General Assembly
News & Stories ? October 20th, 2020
Mars
Mars GFSC Consumer Survey: Food Safety and Security is Top…
News & Stories ? October 13th, 2020
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Global President of Mars Wrigley Reflects on Our Commitment…
News & Stories ? October 1st, 2020
Mars
An Opportunity to Create Impact for Climate Justice
News & Stories ? August 7th, 2020