Building a sustainable future
We are a global business of people and brands with a clear purpose. We believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. It is the vision at the heart of our Sustainable in a Generation Plan - one where the planet is healthy, people and pets are thriving, and society is inclusive.
With the increasing impacts of climate change, the pandemic and social injustice, we are as committed as ever to the critical actions needed to tackle the environmental and societal threats we face through science-based actions and in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are transforming the way we work – from how we source raw materials like palm oil and cocoa, to how we fish the oceans for our pet food ingredients – to ensure every part of our operations and extended supply chains help people and the planet thrive. At the same time, we recognize that fixing these issues is a generational challenge, which is why we are building lasting partnerships with NGOs, governments and industry, to help transform the systems that have made issues like climate change or limited incomes for smallholder farmers so pervasive and intractable.
This is a critical moment and we are working to ensure that Mars is a positive force in the world for years to come.
Our plan is built on what is RIGHT, not what is easy—it is science-based and in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Barry Parkin, Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer
Our Sustainable in a Generation Plan
Since we launched the Mars Sustainable in a Generation Plan in 2017 with an initial $1 billion investment, we have made progress to transform how we do business. We’re working to improve the lives of people in communities where we source materials, as well as the lives of our Associates, customers and pets. Facing unprecedented challenges created during the COVID-19 pandemic, our Associates and business quickly shifted to new ways of working toward our ambitious, science-based goals.
Healthy Planet • Thriving People • Nourishing Wellbeing • Materials & supply chains
2020 Scorecard
See our progress as we work toward our ambitions and address these generational challenges. Download the PDF of our latest scorecard.



How we’re reducing our environmental footprint



Packaging pilot programs take off
Healthy Planet
To keep the planet healthy for people and nature, Mars follows a data-driven, scientific approach to reduce our environmental impact. Our efforts include expanding our use of renewable energy, helping farmers cut water use while increasing crop yield, working to eliminate deforestation and evolving our product packaging to support a circular economy.

Our goals for a healthy planet.
We’re reducing our total environmental impact in line with what science says is necessary to keep the planet healthy: cutting greenhouse gas emissions, expanding our use of renewable energy, conserving water and land, and eliminating packaging waste from the environment. We’re committed to drastically shrinking our climate footprint and ensuring our partners and suppliers do the same—we’re also encouraging our partners to join our efforts through our #PledgeForPlanet initiative.

Climate action

Water stewardship

Land use

Rethinking packaging

Climate action

Water stewardship

Land use

Rethinking packaging



How we support individuals’ rights and livelihoods


Building stronger communities
Thriving People
Our business, Associates and the communities where we operate will thrive for generations to come only if we help the millions of people who contribute to our success thrive as well. We are committed to respecting human rights throughout our value chain, starting with areas where we have the most influence, and where we can have the greatest impact on people’s rights, opportunities and livelihoods via multiple programs and with key partners.

Our goals for thriving people
We are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of 1 million people across our value chain by 2030. Our programs increase income for smallholder farmers; advance respect for human rights in our factories, fisheries and farms; and expand access to capital for women. In addition to these efforts, we also deliver emergency response and recovery aid to people who need it most.

Increasing income

Respecting human rights

Unlocking opportunities for women

Increasing income

Respecting human rights

Unlocking opportunities for women



How we help people and their pets lead healthier lives



Keeping food safe
Nourishing Wellbeing
Good nutrition, health and wellbeing are essential for billions of people and pets around the world to lead happier, healthier lives. These things are also key to our growth. We use our global reach to support the wellness of Mars Associates, enhance our products’ quality and nutrition, and provide more people around the world with access to healthy meals

Our goals for nourishing wellbeing
Program and reaching more people and pets around the world with healthy meals. We’re also improving the nutritional content of our products, ensuring transparency and responsible marketing of our foods so consumers can make informed choices, and driving rigorous research to enhance food safety for Mars and our partners.

Associate health & wellbeing

Healthy meals

Responsible marketing

Associate health & wellbeing

Healthy meals

Responsible marketing



We’re accelerating our efforts to stop deforestation

Our supply chain actions
We’re focusing on key high-risk supply chains to tackle deforestation and meet the big challenges that require bold action. For example, we have created a deforestation-free palm supply chain by reducing our mill partners to fewer than 100 instead of 1,500. We’re also improving traceability and empowering farmers to find more sustainable methods for growing cocoa, which is essential to our beloved chocolate brands. We have expanded our coverage of child labor monitoring and remediation systems in our cocoa supply chain, and we’re the first chocolate company to support the Living Income Differential (LID) fee enacted by Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. We have consistently purchased cocoa with the LID to support farmers while urging others to do the same. We also support traceability of the cocoa supply chain so that we can work toward fairer compensation for smallholder cocoa farmers.

Cocoa for Generations Plan

Palm Positive Plan

Deforestation Action Overview

Cocoa for Generations Plan

Palm Positive Plan

Deforestation Action Overview
More about our sustainability plan

Mars
Our Associates are at the heart of our Petcare story
News & Stories  • 28 December 2021

Mars
Our Journey to More Sustainable Fish Sourcing
News & Stories  • 07 May 2021

Mars
#ProudlyMars: How Associates Practice Inclusion and…
News & Stories  • 24 June 2019

Mars
Why We Know Pets Work at Work
News & Stories  • 21 June 2019

Mars
Sustainably Sourcing Rice Far The Future
News & Stories  • 19 June 2019