Mars has fulfilled its commitment to help preserve forests with the launch of three new policies to reduce deforestation in its beef, soy, paper and pulp supply chains.
The policies form part of the company’s broader attempt to protect forests, biodiversity, minimise the carbon footprint of its supply chain and respect human rights.
All of Mars’ Brazilian beef purchases will be from suppliers that are able to demonstrate that when beef is coming from the Amazon Biome it is not associated with primary forest clearance, or who have plans in place to be able to do so by the end of 2017.
By the end of 2016, all virgin pulp and paper-based packaging will be traced to at least the country of origin and by the end of 2020, all pulp and paper-based packaging will be bought from certified, verified or recycled sources.
A third party verification system such as RTRS or ProTerra will certify all of the soy Mars purchases in Brazil by the end of 2017.
Barry Parkin, Mars’ chief sustainability officer, explained that deforestation caused about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, decreased biodiversity, disrupted water cycles, increased soil erosion and posed severe social and economic problems.
“Mars is committed to sustainably sourcing the key raw material that are driving deforestation. By setting sustainable standards like these across our supply chain, Mars is working to bring real solutions to the complex problem of deforestation,” Parkin said.
The company said these policies complimented its already existing sustainability commitments in ensuring a 100% certified supply chain for cocoa and fish by 2020, coffee and tea and its human rights policy.
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