Mars Invests $27M to Reduce Dairy Emissions with Fonterra Partnership

Today, Mars, Incorporated is launching a groundbreaking program in collaboration with Fonterra, one of the world’s leading dairy suppliers. With a substantial investment of $27 million USD, the initiative aims to promote sustainable farming practices among dairy farmers.

Named the 'Farmer Forward Program,' this five-year plan is designed to empower approximately 2,000 Fonterra dairy farmers by providing them with access to tools and technology geared toward environmental sustainability. In addition, the program will annually offer cash incentives averaging $15K USD to around 165 farmers who achieve significant sustainability milestones.

The initiative is projected to reduce Mars’ scope 3 dairy emissions by over 150,000 metric tons by 2030, equating to the elimination of more than 380 million miles driven, according to the EPA Equivalency Calculator. The program not only supports Mars’ commitment to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but also aligns with its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Fonterra’s Director of Sustainability, Charlotte Rutherford, emphasized the partnership's potential to meet ambitious climate targets and lauded Mars’ commitment to a sustainable future. This investment is part of Mars' larger 'Moo’ving Dairy Forward' initiative, a multimillion-dollar platform launched to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the Mars dairy supply chain.