Discover how Mars, Inc. is investing $47M in a sustainable dairy plan to cut emissions by 50% by 2030. Will this reshape the future of the dairy industry?
Addressing climate change head-on, manufacturing titan Mars Inc., has pledged a hefty $47 million to propel its ambitious ‘Moo’ving Dairy Forward’ plan. This initiative is a critical part of the behemoth’s wide-ranging climate strategy, entailing a $1 billion investment spread over three years. The core objective? To substantially curtail the carbon footprint attributed to its dairy sourcing, thereby aiding in the creation of a sustainable future that benefits everyone.
A Climate-First Approach
In the face of the climate crisis, Mars, as a corporate entity, bears a substantial responsibility. It recognizes this necessity and is now on a transformative journey to significantly slash its emissions. The global corporation has boldly aimed to reduce its emissions by half by 2030, taking a 2015 baseline as a reference point.
Strategic alliances form the cornerstone of this ambitious plan, with partnerships such as FrieslandCampina and countless industry frontrunners leading the charge. Working together, these partners will be putting into action a range of significant on-farm interventions. They are honing their focus on critical areas, including enteric methane reduction, sustainable feed production, and efficient manure management.
“Precision is the key in sustainability,” Mars, Inc. stated. With a whopping 200,000 dairy cows and 1,000 farms powering their billion-dollar confectionery enterprise, a more sustainable approach has become an urgent necessity. Brand favorites such as M&M’s and Snickers are born out of this process. Mars has identified that dairy is the second-largest contributor to the carbon footprint of its snacking segment. Shockingly, raw ingredients alone make up more than 70% of the company’s total GHG emissions. This revelation underscores the urgency and commitment Mars Inc. has towards creating a greener dairy supply chain.
Working Towards a Sustainable Dairy Future
Central to the sustainable dairy plan is the collaboration between Mars and the dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina. Through this innovative partnership, a dedicated group of farms is set to become the spearhead of Mars’ dairy supply chain. However, this program aims to achieve more than just the sourcing of dairy products.
The overarching goal here is to nurture innovation, with a heavy emphasis on pioneering and scaling up inventive practices and technologies. Uniquely, these practices aren’t confined to pilot projects. Instead, the ambition is to roll them out across the cooperative, in a fast-paced, focused environment that breeds success.
Moo’ving Dairy Forward
Amanda Davies, Chief of R&D, Procurement, and Sustainability Officer for Mars snacking, provided an unambiguous insight into the company’s commitment to planetary health. Speaking with passion and conviction, Davies described their duty towards our planet as an “absolute non-negotiable.”
She further held that Mars’ vision for sustainable dairy can only come to fruition with the backing of farmers and suppliers. She then affirmed, “As part of our Moo’ving Dairy Forward sustainable dairy plan, we’re redirecting millions of dollars back into the farming community through our contracts. These funds will provide critical support for farmers to make climate-smart changes in farming practices.”
Innovating for the Future
In furthering their sustainability objectives, Mars has announced that they’re making an investment in setting up three pilot ‘net zero’ dairy farms in collaboration with the DMK Group in Germany. The aim here isn’t just to establish new ventures, but to spark off a new direction in the dairy industry. Over the five-year course of this project, these farms will stand as testing grounds for the introduction and implementation of revolutionary science and technology. The goal? To create sustainable and economically viable practices that could set the standard for a future ‘net zero’ dairy industry.
We’ve seen additional exciting partnerships take form. Teaming up with Fonterra and Sea Forest, Mars has kickstarted a trial focusing on a seaweed food supplement named Seafeed. This isn’t just any trial, but an investigation into its effectiveness in cutting down methane production as dairy cows digest their feed. Imagine the breakthrough it would be if we could feed dairy cows a supplement that lessens methane production!
On the heels of these moves, Mars embarked on a fresh journey with Unreasonable Group in a three-year collaboration that began earlier in 2024. The goal of this partnership? To give a helping hand to fast-growing companies that are busy reinventing our food systems. Consider it Mars’ way of ensuring that the torch of innovation continues to be carried forward.
Unquestionably, Mars is demonstrating the difference multinational corporations can make while striving for a more sustainable future. Let’s take a cue from them and find ways that we can contribute to this paramount cause. After all, the future of our planet calls for nothing less.
The Bottom Line
Mars’ commitment to climate sustainability is no doubt, a move worth applauding. Through its bold investment of $47 million and collaborative efforts in reducing carbon footprints and implementing sustainable practices in dairy sourcing, Mars is leading the charge in the food manufacturing industry. Such dedicated steps, particularly in its snacking division, which significantly depends on dairy, demonstrate the company’s readiness to shoulder considerable financial responsibilities in pursuit of a healthier planet. These strategic alliances and pilot projects are sure to provide useful insights and effective methodologies that not only reshape the Mars’ supply chain but also set significant benchmarks for the broader industry.
