- With the #PledgeForPlanet initiative, Mars announces fresh ambition to 
further cut emissions from its operations in line with the key aim of the Paris 
Agreement -- to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius  

- Mars calls for collective action, including encouraging its major suppliers 
to commit to science-based emissions targets 

- Mars CEO Grant F. Reid urges people to consider taking "simple, everyday 
actions today to help create a better tomorrow" 

- Timed with the UN Climate Action Summit, General Assembly & Climate Week NYC, 
#PledgeForPlanet kicks off with unveiling of a public mural by artist Steven 
Harrington in New York City's Bryant Park; actress and singer Victoria Justice 
visits the mural, calling for urgent action 

Mars today announced its ambition to accelerate action to tackle climate 
change, with the launch of its new #PledgeForPlanet initiative. As part of the 
initiative, Mars is committing to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
from its direct operations in line with the most ambitious aim of the Paris 
Agreement -- to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/999242/Mars_Planet_Pledge_D.mp4 

Photo - 
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/998911/MARS_Steven_Harrington_Mural.jpg 

The commitment is part of the ongoing Mars push -- first announced a decade ago 
-- to achieve 100% renewable energy in its operations by 2040. Today, Mars 
sources more than half of its electricity from renewable sources -- 100% in 
countries including the U.S., UK, Mexico and soon, Australia. Mars sees a real 
role for business in disrupting the effects of climate change, and with 
#PledgeForPlanet, Mars recognizes we must go farther and faster in order to 
help create a healthy planet on which we all can thrive.

To this end, the initiative will see Mars accelerate climate action not only 
within the business, but also by mobilizing its Associates, suppliers and 
citizens everywhere to pledge to protect the planet and address the causes of 
climate change. 

Mars is calling on all its suppliers to participate through programming such as 
setting science-based targets, signing on to The Climate Group's RE100, and 
embracing a future with renewable energy at the center of plans for direct 
operations. Olam, a Mars supplier of cocoa and certified palm oil, has already 
signed on.

Mars CEO Grant F. Reid said: "Climate change is a real and tangible threat to 
society. For example, in our business, we already see it in the risk to 
livelihoods for smallholder farmers who provide most of our raw ingredients." 

"Risks to the resiliency and sustainability of our supply chain and the future 
of the farmers we work with is top of mind. But, as a family business that 
thinks in generations and aspires to make a positive difference in the world, 
our responsibilities and our ambitions go beyond risk mitigation. We are 
committed to doing our part for the good of the planet."

The new initiative follows Mars' investment of $1bn towards its Sustainable in 
a Generation Plan ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2587889-1&h=2136969443&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mars.com%2Fsustainability-plan&a=Sustainable+in+a+Generation+Plan 
) to accelerate progress against a range of global threats by looking beyond 
its own direct operations and into its extended supply chain. The Mars plan 
also includes a drive towards reducing total GHG emissions across its value 
chain 27% by 2025 and 67% by 2050. 

Mr. Reid added: "As a business, we've set ambitious goals to help deliver on 
the Sustainable Development Goals by changing the way we operate. We're also 
inspired by the youth movement demanding climate action and the role of all of 
us as individuals in driving change. With our #PledgeForPlanet initiative, we 
are calling for simple, everyday actions that anyone can take today to help 
create a better tomorrow."

The new initiative highlights the shared responsibility of businesses, 
governments, and global citizens to take action on climate change. 

Actress and singer Victoria Justice, who has previously performed at the Moral 
Action on Climate Justice Rally and partnered with the UN Foundation, is 
helping to kick off #PledgeForPlanet by making her own pledge to the planet and 
signing a public mural commissioned by Mars. 

She said: "Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our current 
generation but simple actions can make a large impact. That's why I'm joining 
Mars in making my own pledge to the planet, and using my voice to urge people 
around the world to do the same. We can all play a role in protecting our 
planet for tomorrow, and for future generations to come."

The mural, designed by renowned artist Steven Harrington, illustrates what the 
world could look like if we all took urgent climate action to keep the planet 
from warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. It will be on public display in the 
heart of New York City during Climate Week at Bryant Park (see visual) before 
moving to M&M'S World Times Square.

Harrington, who has previously worked with a number of businesses to develop 
artwork aimed at provoking conversation and inspiring climate action, 
commented: "It's easy for people to feel overwhelmed or helpless when thinking 
about climate change, but that doesn't have to be the case. If we all commit to 
individual actions -- big or small -- we can together make a huge impact. 
Through the #PledgeForPlanet mural, I want to help engage and inspire people to 
think about climate change, and to see the hope that we can have in our planet 
if we all unite together to take urgent action."

    - Inspired by the UN's ActNow Climate Campaign and the young leaders on the 
      front lines of climate activism, #PledgeForPlanet encourages individual 
      actions to protect the planet and ensure it is healthy and thriving for 
      future generations. The ActNow Climate Campaign encourages behavior 
      change using an interactive tool, the ActNow "bot," to help citizens 
      learn about everyday actions to reduce our carbon footprint -- like 
      driving less, buying local and seasonal produce, and taking 5-minute 
      showers. Mars has made the ActNow "bot" available internally to its 
      Associates across the globe. 

    - As part of the initiative, a global team of social creators and 
      influencers have been recruited to drive awareness and engagement, 
      encouraging people around the world to make their own commitments at 
      www.mars.com/pledgeforplanet and to share those online using 
      #PledgeForPlanet. 

Note to Editors: 
The mural will be located at Bryant Park on Sept. 23, before moving to the 
M&M's World store in Times Square (1600 Broadway, New York). 

#PledgeForPlanet Quotes for Attribution

First Supplier to Join Mars in #PledgeforPlanet
Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Olam: "The increased rate and 
severity of weather events hitting the world today shows we must continue to 
accelerate our actions to tackle climate change. We welcome the 
#PledgeforPlanet from Mars and look forward to collaboration across the sector. 
For Olam's part, we are re-imagining how we farm, source and process 
ingredients in order to minimise our impact and partner with farming 
communities to adapt to climate pressures."

Support from the Community for #PledgeForPlanet
Carter Roberts, President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF): "When it comes 
to being a leader in advocating for climate action and addressing the climate 
crisis, few companies have a longer record than Mars and today's announcement 
highlights that commitment. Mars has stepped up to recognize that we must limit 
global warming to 1.5 degrees and they are bringing the power of their entire 
operation and value chain to bear in that fight. WWF will continue to work with 
Mars to achieve these ambitious emissions reductions and goals."

Amy Davidsen, The Climate Group: "Mars was the first pioneer in the US to 
commit to 100% renewable power through RE100. Five years on, by encouraging its 
suppliers to join the initiative and set bold science based targets, Mars 
continues to lead by example. As well as helping to combat climate change, 
switching to 100% renewables makes business sense -- Mars knows its future 
competitiveness relies on efficient suppliers powered by clean energy. Now we 
need thousands more companies to follow."

Mindy Lubber, CEO and President, Ceres:  "Mars' new #PledgeForPlanet initiative 
reflects the urgency of climate crisis and should be applauded. With this bold 
new plan, Mars continues to lead on efforts to tackle climate change and spur 
others to scale up action to reduce emissions and invest in renewable energy. 
Ceres is proud to partner with Mars as we work to achieve a 1.5 degree world 
and create a zero-carbon future."

Tom Murray, Vice President, EDF+Business: "We're encouraged by Mars and the 
growing number of business leaders committed to increasingly ambitious climate 
action, and in particular by their efforts to engage suppliers and customers in 
the fight. To win, businesses large and small must take swift action to reduce 
their carbon footprints, accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy, and 
support policies that limit greenhouse gas pollution."

About #PledgeForPlanet 
#PledgeForPlanet is a global climate initiative launched by Mars, Incorporated 
to help protect the planet and address the effects of climate change. Inspired 
by the UN's ActNow Climate Campaign, we are asking people to commit to everyday 
actions to protect the planet and ensure it is healthy and thriving for future 
generations -- whether using renewable energy or walking to work -- by visiting 
www.mars.com/pledgeforplanet and sharing their pledges online using 
#PledgeForPlanet. 

About Mars, Incorporated
Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making 
diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. 
With more than $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that 
produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's(R), SNICKERS(R), TWIX(R), 
MILKY WAY(R), DOVE(R), PEDIGREE(R), ROYAL CANIN(R), WHISKAS(R), EXTRA(R), 
ORBIT(R), 5(TM), SKITTLES(R), UNCLE BEN'S(R), and COCOAVIA(R). Mars Associates 
proudly take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health and 
services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals(TM), BluePearl(R), Linnaeus, 
AniCura, VCA(TM) and Pet Partners(TM).  Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars 
operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles -- Quality, 
Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom -- inspire our more than 
125,000 Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in 
which the planet, its people and pets can thrive. 

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook 
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SOURCE:  Mars, Incorporated

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