Poul Weihrauch, the new CEO of Mars, has said that companies have a “moral” duty to reduce their environmental footprint amid the ongoing battle against climate change. The food industry has a significant impact on the environment, including plastic wrappers and their contribution to deforestation and carbon emissions. Weihrauch believes that big companies have a “massive opportunity” to fight climate change, with Mars aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The company, whose brands include M&M’s, Snickers, Pedigree, and Wrigley’s, has invested $1.1 billion in striving to achieve that target since 2020 and plans to double the amount in the next three years. Mars’ investments include using wind power for its veterinary clinics, a sustainable cocoa supply, and new packaging for thousands of products. The company has been rated ‘A’ for its climate change efforts by CDP in 2022.

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