Mars invests US$27M to support sustainable dairy farming

USA – Mars, Incorporated, has announced a new initiative designed to support dairy farmers in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable farming practices. 

The company is investing US$27 million in its five-year program, called the Farmer Forward Program, in collaboration with Fonterra, a global dairy producer. 

The program aims to provide funding for sustainability-focused tools and technology for around 2,000 farmers while offering cash incentives to those who achieve ambitious sustainability targets. 

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce Mars’ scope 3 emissions from dairy production by over 150,000 metric tons by 2030, based on a 2015 baseline. 

This reduction is roughly equivalent to taking more than 380 million miles off the road.

The partnership between Mars and Fonterra is central to the company’s broader strategy of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, with an eventual goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. 

According to the company, nearly half of the investment will go towards providing farmers with tools and technology to improve their farming practices.

The remaining funds will be used to reward approximately 165 farmers who make the most progress in meeting sustainability goals. 

These farmers will receive incentives averaging US$15,000 USD per year.

The program covers 26,000 hectares of farmland, an area roughly the size of 50,000 NFL football fields. 

The dairy production from the initiative has the potential to produce enough milk to make an estimated 20 billion SNICKERS bars annually. 

However, Mars emphasized that the dairy produced through this program is used in a variety of Mars chocolate bars and snacks, not just SNICKERS.

Amanda Davies, Chief R&D, Procurement and Sustainability Officer at Mars Snacking, commented, “Dairy farmers are on the front line of advancing climate-smart agriculture, which is why we’re putting them first through the launch of our Farmer Forward program.”

“This initiative is a true win-win, because we know making dairy more sustainable takes real effort and real investment.”

Fonterra’s Charlotte Rutherford, Director of Sustainability, expressed her gratitude for Mars’ support, stating, “We are grateful for Mars and its shared commitment to protecting the environment. It’s a true testament to the power of partnership and innovation.”

Mars’ commitment to sustainability is driven by its broader goal to reduce the carbon footprint of its supply chain, as dairy production currently accounts for 65% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from its snacking portfolio. 

The company has already made significant progress, reducing its global GHG emissions by 16% since 2015, while increasing sales by 60% over the same period. 

This initiative with Fonterra marks a significant step in Mars’ ongoing efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.