Moo’ving dairy forward, one cow at a time
29 October 2024

Across the globe, Mars’ supply chains include over 200,000 cows and 1,000 farms to create its confectionary products. However, these treats don’t come without a cost for the climate: dairy is the second largest contributor to the carbon footprint of the Mars Snacking division, and raw ingredients account for over 70% of the organisation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. 

Those are the impacts that Mars’ new sustainable dairy plan, Moo’ving Dairy Forward, seeks to address. The plan calls for an investment of $47 million in dairy sustainability over the course of three years and cow-llaboration between industry leaders to implement climate-smart, on-farm interventions that reduce enteric methane, more efficiently manage manure and increase sustainable feed production.  

Examples of these innovative farming practices in Europe include: 

  • In the Netherlands, Mars is partnering with dairy cooperative Friesland Campina to help farmers use manure additives to reduce storage emissions and implement biodigesters to convert manure into energy. 
  • In Germany, Mars is supporting dairy cooperative DMK in implementing and studying both proven and new technologies on three net-zero pilot farms to create a pathway to zero emissions.  
  • In Poland, Marks is working with suppliers Interfood and Mlekovita to launch one of the first and largest feed additive projects in the country to reduce enteric methane emissions. 

With these and other investments, the Moo’ving Dairy Forward plan – part of Mars’ Net Zero Roadmap to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50% across the entire business by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 – will churn out innovations and serve as a platform to redefine and scale up new practices and technologies. These in turn can be adopted across Europe and the rest of the globe to reduce emissions not only at Mars but from the wider dairy industry.  

Amanda Davies, chief research and development, procurement and sustainability officer, Mars Snacking, has udder confidence in the plan: 

‘Doing our part to keep our planet healthy is an absolute non-negotiable for us at Mars. But our vision for more sustainable dairy will only become a reality with the support and actions of farmers and our suppliers. 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.’ 

The Green Way
Story contributor
Mars, Inc.
https://www.mars.com/