Mars has pledged to achieve water balance in high water-stressed operations by 2025.
To begin its new campaign, the global food producer is set to safeguard five Mexican manufacturing sites in Queretaro, Toluca, Montemorelos, Santa Catarina and Guadalajara.
The company has been using the sites as a base to manufacture several of its biggest name brands, which includes Whiskas, Snickers, Pedigree and M&Ms.
Mars has pledged that every litre of water it will use in the manufacturing process will be matched through the treatment and reuse of wastewater, and through joining projects to make water more available in the watershed.
The company added that it intends to roll out these conservation schemes to a further six sites in Asia and Africa in the near future.
READ MORE: Mars Foods launches international Ben’s Original campaign
The news follows Mars announcing its decision to join the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate’s Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) with 30 other international businesses, committing to address the global water crisis.
The partnership will work to increase investment in new breakthrough innovations to address the water shortages and encourage collection action to find solutions for water resilience in high water stressed regions.
The commitment comes as two billion people across the world currently live-in high water-stressed countries, with the number set to reach more than half the global population by 2050 if action is not taken.
“Across the world, water availability is at a crisis point, and it’s being exacerbated by the effects of climate change”, Mars chief executive officer Grant Reid said.
“It’s clear we all have a critical part to play in mitigating our impact on water supplies, and to protect the health of global communities.”
Water Mandate chief executive and pacific institute president Jason Morrison added: “Mars’ commitment to reducing unsustainable water use and helping secure a sustainable supply of water for communities, farmers, business and nature illustrates how companies can integrate water into their core strategy.
“By joining the Water Resilience Coalition, Mars recognises the business community’s opportunity to drive water resilience strategies in the face of climate change by sharing best practices, accelerating results and scaling impact through collective action around the world.”
Click here to sign up to Grocery Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
