Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for Sustainability Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate...
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Mars has reached a major sustainability milestone, powering all U.S. operations with 100 percent renewable electricity while reducing emissions across its value chain and continuing significant business growth.
Mars, Incorporated (Mars) has announced that all of its US operations are now powered by 100 percent renewable electricity, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing sustainability journey.
Detailed in the company’s 2025 Sustainable in a Generation Report, the achievement spans Mars’ factories, offices, veterinary hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and other direct operations across the US.
Combined with broader decarbonisation efforts, the milestone has helped drive substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while supporting continued business expansion.
The company reported a 42.6 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions compared to its 2015 baseline, successfully delivering its Science Based Target for operational emissions reductions.
Meanwhile, Mars achieved a 6.4 percent reduction in absolute GHG emissions across its entire value chain in 2025 – its largest annual reduction to date – bringing cumulative emissions reductions to 16.9 percent against 2015 levels, despite growing the business by approximately 75 percent over the same period.
Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, described the achievement as an important step in building a resilient and sustainable business.
“Reaching a milestone of 100 percent renewable electricity in our direct US operations – from factories to offices, from veterinary hospitals to diagnostic labs – it’s something to celebrate and be proud of. Building a resilient business includes access to clean and accessible energy, farmers that are not at the mercy of extreme weather events and communities that thrive across our full value chain”
ACCELERATING RENEWABLE ENERGY
A key driver of Mars’ progress is its Renewables Acceleration (RAcc) programme, launched in 2025 to extend renewable electricity adoption beyond the company’s own operations and throughout its wider value chain.
By 2030, the initiative has the potential to reduce emissions by approximately three million tonnes, representing around 10 percent of the company’s 2025 carbon footprint.
As part of the programme, Mars recently signed a contract with Enel North America to support three new solar projects in Texas. Together, the projects are expected to generate approximately 1.80 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, supporting both Mars operations and suppliers.
Alongside investments aimed at reducing and converting energy consumption, the company also maintains wind and solar projects that generate Renewable Energy Certificates equivalent to the electricity consumed by its direct U.S. operations.
SUPPORTING CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE
Beyond renewable energy, Mars continues to invest heavily in climate-smart agriculture programmes designed to strengthen resilience across key agricultural supply chains.
During 2025, the company expanded its global portfolio to approximately 77 projects spanning 26 countries and 12 crops.
Among its flagship initiatives is Protect the Peanut, a five-year investment of approximately $5.2 million focused on developing drought- and disease-resistant peanut varieties while helping farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.
Mars is also investing $20 million between 2020 and 2030 through its Raising Rice Right programme, supporting the adoption of climate-smart farming practices, farmer training, and greater resilience within rice production systems.
Collaboration remains central to the company’s approach. In Poland, Mars partnered with PepsiCo and ADM to launch a regenerative agriculture programme supporting 24 farmers across more than 5,450 hectares. Through the initiative, Mars is supporting regenerative wheat production across 3,450 hectares for brands including WHISKAS® and PEDIGREE®, helping improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen long-term climate resilience.
INVESTING FOR LONG-TERM RESILIENCE
Alongside sustainability initiatives, Mars continues to strengthen its manufacturing footprint and invest in long-term operational resilience.
In 2025, the company announced plans to invest an estimated $2 billion in U.S.-based manufacturing and €1 billion across its European Union operations by the end of 2026.
Mars also launched the Mars Sustainability Investment Fund, backed by a capital commitment of up to $250 million, while establishing the Mars Impact Fund to complement existing sustainability and philanthropic programmes.
According to Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mars, collaboration remains essential to achieving meaningful progress.
“The hard work of our Associates and partners in 2025 demonstrates how sustainability sits at the center of how we plan, invest and operate. Delivering impact at scale requires collaboration across industries, suppliers, governments, NGOs and local communities, and we remain focused on turning ambition into measurable progress across our value chain”
As Mars continues to advance its sustainability strategy, the company is demonstrating how science-led, commercially disciplined investments can help reduce emissions, strengthen supply chains, and support long-term business growth.
This article was produced by the editorial team at Sustainability Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across sustainability, energy transition, manufacturing, mining, construction, supply chains, healthcare, and food production.
Sustainability Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping the global sustainability landscape.
Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for Sustainability Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.
