Mars, a global leader in food, snacking, and pet care, has announced the promotion of Alastair Child to the role of Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). With over two decades of experience at the company, Child’s new position will involve steering Mars’ sustainability initiatives and advancing the company’s ambitious environmental and social goals. This appointment underscores Mars’ commitment to integrating sustainability into its core operations while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion.
What is Alastair Child’s experience in sustainability?
Child has spent 23 years at Mars, most recently as Vice President of Global Sustainability for Mars Snacking. During this tenure, he led efforts to embed sustainability practices deeply into the business strategy, focusing on reducing environmental impacts and improving the lives of those in the value chain. His track record has established him as a respected leader within the company. Andy Pharoah, Mars’ Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, commended Child’s expertise, stating,
“Alastair has established himself as a strong, well-respected leader. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a key part in ensuring sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our business to help us build the world we want tomorrow.”
What are Mars’ sustainability objectives?
Mars has outlined its sustainability framework through its “Sustainable in a Generation” strategy, launched in 2017. This initiative targets three key areas: “Healthy Planet,” “Thriving People,” and “Nourishing Wellbeing.” Specific goals include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Other critical objectives involve minimizing unsustainable water usage, ensuring all packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and improving the livelihoods of one million people within its supply chain. Additionally, the company aims to deliver 5.5 billion healthy meals by 2025.
In his new role, Child will head a team of 30 experts working across diverse domains, such as climate solutions, community engagement, and sustainable packaging. Child emphasized the urgency of addressing global climate challenges, stating,
“It’s an honor to take on this role. With average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels for the first time in 2024, it is imperative that we continue to perform on our promises and in doing so prove that sustainability is good for business. I look forward to collaborating with our partners, Associates and stakeholders to ensure we continue to grow responsibly.”
Mars will also see the retirement of Barry Parkin, the outgoing Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer, after a 40-year tenure. Parkin’s departure marks a transition in leadership, with expectations for Child to continue driving Mars’ sustainability commitments forward.
Mars’ commitment to sustainability is not new. In previous years, the company has introduced initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving supply chain transparency, and enhancing the livelihoods of agricultural producers. These efforts have laid the foundation for the current strategy, which places a stronger emphasis on measurable targets and partnerships across industries to address systemic challenges.
Mars’ latest leadership appointment highlights the increasingly central role sustainability plays in corporate strategies, reflecting broader business and societal priorities. Companies in the food and consumer goods sector are under growing pressure to demonstrate meaningful progress on environmental and social issues. For Mars, the focus on sustainability not only aligns with its corporate values but also addresses the expectations of consumers, stakeholders, and global regulators. By appointing an experienced leader like Child, the company aims to maintain its momentum in meeting these expectations while balancing financial performance.
