The world we want tomorrow
starts with how we do business today.
Launched in 2017, the Sustainable in a Generation plan guides our sustainability efforts. We focus on three interconnected areas for purposeful growth: Healthy Planet, Thriving People, Nourishing Wellbeing. Additionally, in recognition of the importance of the role our packaging plays, we have introduced a standalone section entitled Transforming Packaging to provide our stakeholders a better understanding of our efforts and progress on this important issue. We’re working to improve the lives of people in the communities where we source materials, as well as the lives of our Associates, customers and pets.
This scorecard measures our commitment to and progress toward these ambitious, science-backed goals to drive positive change for people and the planet.
Our Goal For
A Healthy Planet
Reduce our environmental impact in line with what science says is necessary to keep the planet healthy.
Our Goal For
Thriving People
Meaningfully improve the lives of one million people in our value chain to enable them to thrive.
Our Goal For
Nourishing Wellbeing
Advance science, innovation, nutrition and marketing to help billions of people and their pets lead healthier, happier lives.
Our Goal For
Transforming Packaging
Contribute to a circular economy where packaging never becomes waste, but is recycled, reused or composted.
A Healthy Planet
-6.1%*
Goal: reduce total greenhouse gas emissions across our value chain by 27% by 2025 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050
*Tracked against 2015 baseline
-24%*
Goal: eliminate unsustainable water use in our value chain, starting with a 50% reduction by 2025
*Tracked against 2015 baseline
-3.1%*
Goal: hold flat the total land area associated with our value chain
*Tracked against 2015 baseline
Protecting Oceans
We are making progress toward our target to use 100% sustainably sourced fish by 2025, with 96% currently being sourced more sustainably, according to our guidelines. And cat food brand SHEBA®’s coral restoration program has already increased coral cover in Hope Reef, Indonesia from 5% to 55% as part of its commitment to help restore 185,000 square meters of coral reefs around the world by 2029.
Eliminating Deforestation
Mars is accelerating efforts to stop deforestation and the conversion of natural ecosystems in the most at-risk supply chains: beef, cocoa, palm oil, pulp and paper, and soy.
Striving for Net Zero
We have pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across our full Mars value chain by 2050. As one step toward that goal, by 2023, Mars® bars sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada will be certified as carbon neutral.
Renewable Electricity
In 2021, Mars announced that it would partner on a new wind farm in Ford Ridge, Illinois, to put us on the pathway to 100% renewable electricity, supporting the growth of our veterinary hospitals in the United States.
Thriving People
442,200
People Reached though Human Rights and Income Efforts
Goal: Farmers, workers, women and children covered by programs designed to improve human rights and incomes.
61,250
Farmers Impacted through Increased Incomes
Goal: Helping to increase farmers’ incomes with programs that combine good agricultural practices, access to inputs, the latest plant science, price premiums and/or other ongoing engagement
41,200
Women Reached through Empowerment Efforts
Goal: Engaging women in cocoa and mint supply chains through income programs, with a focus on interventions that boost their savings rates and develop entrepreneurial skills
Refreshing Our Saliency and Human Rights Priorities
In 2021, we refreshed our understanding of our salient human rights issues—the critical issues that form the foundation of our global human rights priorities—in alignment with international good practice. We activated Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) at 100% of Mars manufacturing sites.
Responding to the Global Health Crisis
Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, we have been striving to support the people most affected by COVID-19 in our workplaces and supply chain communities. Since the world began to grapple with the impact of coronavirus, Mars has made $48 million in direct and in-kind donations to COVID-19 relief.
Unlocking Opportunities for Women
We launched a global listening campaign, #HereToBeHeard, and asked, “What needs to change for more women to reach their full potential?” We heard from 10,319 women in 88 countries. Here’s what they shared and how we’re taking action.
Addressing Human Rights Risks in Sugarcane
An extensive three-year program to address human rights risks in the Mexican sugarcane supply chain is ongoing. It has already led to a nearly 40% reduction in accident rates during sugarcane harvests, provided 2,500 cane cutters with improved access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and covered 3,000 cane cutters with human rights risks monitoring systems.
Nourishing Wellbeing
4.3 Billion
Goal: Deliver 5.5 billion healthy meals per year by 2025.
99% & 98%
Media Placement Compliance & Media Content Compliance
Goal: In our top 13 markets, achieve at least 97% media placement compliance across TV, other broadcast channels, digital and social media, and achieve at least 95% media content compliance.++
++ Learn More about responsible marketing
20
Scientific Reports, Presentations and Posters Shared
Goal: The Mars Global Food Safety Center invests in, explores and develops science and technology solutions to help address the most pressing challenges facing the global food supply chain
Responsible Marketing
Marketing is the way we interact with consumers, and it determines how our brands and products show up in the world. That’s why our Mars Marketing Code (MMC) is one of the most ambitious in the food industry. We track our compliance through an annual third-party audit, the results of which we publish in our Governance Report.
Ensuring Food Safety
A focus on food safety is critical to protecting people, pets and the planet. At Mars, we believe that if food isn’t safe for consumption, it’s not food. In 2021, Mars co-hosted the Future of Food Safety Summit and founded the Food Safety Coalition.
Caring for People and Pets
In 2021, pet adoption rates continued to grow as the world navigated COVID-19 and turned to pets for emotional support. Our PEDIGREE® team helped match shelter pets with potential adopters through Dogs on Zoom, and Mars Veterinary Health is investing in programs that enhance vets’ health and wellbeing as demand for veterinary care increases.
Providing Healthy Food
At Mars, we are passionate about making our products as healthy as they are tasty. Mars Food uses the strict World Health Organization (WHO) nutrition guidelines for calories, added sugar, sodium and fats as set out in our Mars Food Nutrition Criteria—ensuring that we set a high bar to offer healthier products to consumers.
Transforming Packaging
20%
of Packaging in our Portfolio Is Reusable, Recyclable or Compostable.
Goal: Transform 100% of our portfolio into reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging †
† Tracked against 2019 baseline
43%
of Packaging Is Designed for Recycling
Goal: Redesign our packaging to fit infrastructure that exists today or is likely to exist in the near future. †
† Tracked against 2019 baseline
2,868
Metric Tons of Plastic Removed
Goal: Optimize our packaging to eliminate unnecessary materials and reduce virgin plastic usage by 30% †
† Tracked against 2019 baseline
Eliminating Packaging Waste
Over the past three years, we have completely restructured our approach to sustainable packaging and set an aggressive, science-based strategy to design our products for a circular economy.
Developing Compostable Options
Skittles will be the first brand in our global portfolio to switch to compostable packaging, allowing consumers to compost the waste at home.
Embracing Paper Packaging
Last year, for the first time ever, Mars Wrigley Germany piloted a chocolate bar in paper-based packaging. More than 90 percent of the packaging in almost a million Balisto bars was changed to paper-based packaging, reducing our plastic use by 440 Kilograms—almost 1,000 pounds.
Innovating with Recyclable Packaging
We rolled out mono polypropylene packaging for our microwavable rice pouch, which is designed for recyclability, and incorporated more recycled plastic into the primary packaging for some of our popular pet food brands.
Download Our Full 2021 Scorecard Report
See our progress as we work toward our ambitions and address these generational challenges. Download the PDF of our latest scorecard.