Confectionary and pet food firm Mars has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 16% across its business since 2015.

Its Sustainable in a Generation report for 2023 shows it achieved a 8% fall in its emissions, doubling to 16% when taking into account its supply chain.

The firm says this was achieved as its business grew by 60% over the same period to more than £39bn sales globally in annual sales.

Sustainability in farming is key to Mars’ ambition to halve its emissions across its supply chain by the end of 2030. Almost 60% of its carbon footprint is from agriculture.

Action being taken includes investing in “climate smart agriculture” across one million acres of land by 2030.

This includes supporting 1,900 farmers in the US and Poland to use climate friendly methods and focus on crops such as corn, soy and wheat for its pet food brands.

It will also continue backing sustainable soil initiatives in Brazil and Mexico.

“Our latest carbon reductions show we are on track to deliver a 50% reduction by 2030,” said Mars chief sustainability and procurement officer Barry Parkin.

“While we’re proud of this progress, we know we have more work to do, and we look forward to continuing to scale our progress.

“It is critically important to strengthen our programs with farmers to help the transition to climate smart and regenerative agriculture.”

Mars chief executive Poul Wihrauch added that the firm “will continue to follow the science and show how a responsible business can both do well and do good”.

---