The humble Mars Bar is one of the most popular confectionery items in Australia and now it is one of the greenest, after Mars Australia signed a deal to offset 100 per cent of its power consumption.
Mars Australia cannot power its operations directly off solar because they have six factories and two office complexes scattered all over the country. So they have signed a deal with the Kiamal solar farm in Victoria, where Mars Australia will pay them to offset their carbon emissions by matching it with green energy to supply to the grid.
Mars Australia commercial manager Savannah Wallen said they knew they had a responsibility as a company to move towards more sustainable operations, and this option was the best way to achieve it.
“We’re geographically located all over Australia, and it would very difficult and complex to build multiple solar farms on each of our sites,” Ms Wallen said.
“So what we’ve decided to do is partner with Kiamal Solar Farm. As an Australian manufacturer we have an obligation, and we must do what we can to help reduce the effects of climate change. We’re encouraging others to follow suit.”
It is part of a long-term strategy by Mars Australia to be more sustainable. The company also produces a range of other products including Snickers, Maltesers, Extra gum, Skittles and much more, and is on track to be 100 per cent carbon neutral by 2025.
More and more companies are heading towards power purchase agreements
Climate Council researcher has declared these Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) a major win for sustainability, as it allows large corporations like Mars Australia to become carbon neutral in situations where physically installing renewable energy sources is impossible.
Instead of trying to stretch renewable resources across the country, companies simply pay major renewable projects to add to their infrastructure and supply the equivalent volume of power back to the grid, which totally offsets the energy use of the company.
“By helping new renewable energy projects across the line, companies entering into PPAs are driving down electricity sector emissions,” he said.
“PPAs are a great first step, and we look forward to Mars and other companies stepping up in a big way.”
As well as the announcement to enter the PPA with Kiamal Solar Farm, Mars Australia has further ambitions to limit its emissions and become more sustainable. This extends to Mars operations globally, with a goal to reduce emissions around the world by 27 per cent in 2025 and 67 per cent in 2050.
“Since 2017 we have reduced our emissions by 3.5 per cent year-on-year, and by continuing on this trajectory we will reach our 2025 goal,” Ms Wallen said.
The announcement by Mars is the latest in a long line of PPAs, which are becoming extremely popular around the world for organisations that cannot install renewable energy solutions on-site to power their operations.
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