Mars has proven that aggressive growth and emissions reduction aren't mutually exclusive, cutting supply chain greenhouse gas emissions by 16.4% since 2015 while expanding revenue to $55 billion—a 69% increase over the same period.
The Agricultural Partnership Strategy That Delivered Results
Mars attributed most of its carbon footprint reduction to strategic agricultural partnerships rather than traditional operational changes. The company supported over 60 climate-forward agricultural projects across 29 countries in 2024, achieving dual benefits: reduced emissions alongside enhanced soil health and improved water management.
According to Mars' 2024 sustainability report, this approach delivered a 1.9% emissions reduction in 2024 alone. The company maintained its land footprint compared to 2015 levels while focusing on five critical raw materials: beef, cocoa, palm oil, pulp and paper, and soy. This targeted approach demonstrates how supply chain sustainability can drive measurable environmental impact without compromising business growth.
Renewable Energy Procurement: The 58% Solution
Mars achieved 58% renewable electricity procurement in 2024, advancing toward its 2040 goal of 100% renewable electricity across operations. This strategic energy transition contributed significantly to the company's overall emissions reduction while supporting its aggressive growth trajectory.
The company's dual approach—combining agricultural partnerships with renewable energy procurement—offers a blueprint for manufacturers seeking to balance sustainability goals with business expansion. Research from the International Energy Agency shows that companies combining these strategies achieve 40% faster emissions reductions than those focusing on single approaches.
Executive Compensation Tied to Climate Performance
Mars expanded its sustainability accountability framework by linking executive compensation to greenhouse gas emissions reductions for 2,000 senior executives—up from 400 in 2023. Chief Sustainability Officer Alastair Child emphasized that "societal impact goals have to be built into business decision making" to drive meaningful progress.
The $250 Million Innovation Investment
Mars launched the Mars Sustainable Investment Fund with $250 million to support companies developing solutions for major industry sustainability challenges. The fund focuses on agricultural technologies, lower-emission alternative ingredients, and circular packaging solutions that replace flexible plastics.
This strategic investment approach demonstrates how large manufacturers can accelerate industry-wide transformation while building their own supply chain resilience. The fund's emphasis on agricultural technologies aligns with Mars' successful partnership strategy, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation and emissions reduction.
Scaling Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation
Mars' success illustrates three critical principles for sustainable supply chain transformation: agricultural partnership prioritization, renewable energy integration, and executive accountability alignment. The company's $27 million Farmer Forward Program investment with dairy cooperative Fonterra specifically targets dairy emissions—the fourth-largest contributor to Mars' carbon footprint.
According to the Science Based Targets initiative, companies that combine upstream agricultural partnerships with downstream operational improvements achieve 60% more comprehensive emissions reductions than those focusing solely on internal operations. Mars' approach validates this integrated strategy while proving that sustainability can accelerate rather than hinder business growth.
The Mars Model for Sustainable Growth
Mars has demonstrated that aggressive emissions reduction and business expansion can reinforce each other when properly executed. Their 16.4% emissions reduction alongside 69% revenue growth over nine years provides a compelling case study for manufacturing executives.
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