The financial backing forms part of the multinational’s $1bn commitment to reducing its impact on the environment, as it seeks to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Dubbed Moo’ving Dairy Forward, the plan is centred on a “climate-first” approach to dairy sourcing and aims to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy in line with its 2030 ambition to cut emissions by 50%.
More than 200,000 cows and 1,000 farms supply dairy for Mars confectionery brands such as M&M's and Snickers. Dairy is the second largest contributor to the carbon footprint of Mars Snacking, with raw ingredients accounting for over 70% of the organisation’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of the initiative, Mars will work with leaders across the dairy sector to implement on-farm interventions related to areas such as enteric methane reduction, efficient manure management and sustainable feed production.
Meanwhile, Mars has partnered with global dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina to form the Mars-FrieslandCampina Sustainable Dairy Development Program, a collaboration which will see a group of farms dedicated to Mars’ dairy supply. The programme will act as a platform for new farming practices and technologies to be refined and scaled-up, prior to being rolled out across FrieslandCampina’s wider network.
Chief R&D, procurement and sustainability officer at Mars Snacking, Amanda Davies, said that acting in the name of sustainability was a “non-negotiable” for the company.
“But our vision for more sustainable dairy will only become a reality with the support and actions of farmers and our suppliers,” continued Davies.
“Which is why, as part of our Moo’ving Dairy Forward Sustainable Dairy Plan, we’re putting millions of dollars directly back into the pockets of farmers through our contracts to help them make climate smart changes to the way they farm. Together, I know that we can forge a path that helps address climate change head on and contributes to reshaping our wider industry for a more sustainable future.”
In other news, a 50-year-old man has been killed following an incident at a soft drinks production facility in Gloucestershire.
