Background
Mars uses refrigeration equipment for building air conditioning, factory production process cooling, and in point of sale units like ice cream freezers and vending machines. The majority of this cooling equipment currently utilizes synthetic refrigerant gases, especially hydrofluorocarbons which act as potent greenhouse gases if they escape into the atmosphere. Mars recognizes that a rapid phase down of these high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants (HFCs) and more sustainable management of refrigeration systems is necessary to meet the ambitious goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Climate Agreement (COP21).
As of the end of 2016, Mars had converted over one third of its total industrial refrigeration gas inventory to natural refrigerants. This transition was driven by the improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact of natural refrigerants. Our Sustainable in a Generation Plan aims to accelerate the progress we are making in this important environmental impact area. We also want to ensure we future proof our investments in industrial and point of sale refrigeration equipment. To support these ambitions Mars adopted this corporate refrigeration commitment. It is based on the Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Refrigeration Resolution which has been widely adopted by both manufacturers and retailers within the sector.
Approach and Commitments
Mars commits to the following in all commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment under our control1, within our value chain:
- To purchase new equipment that utilize only natural refrigerants or alternative ultra-low2 GWP refrigerants where viable3,
- To work to reduce the environmental impact of our existing and new refrigeration systems, including (but not limited to) improving energy efficiency, optimizing refrigerant charge sizes, and minimizing refrigerant leaks4;
- In countries where barriers to deployment exist, to engage with our suppliers, and other stakeholders via the CGF Refrigeration Working Group to overcome remaining technical, regulatory and other barriers to enable the purchase of new equipment that utilize only natural refrigerants, or alternative ultra-low GWP refrigerants as soon as possible and no later than 2025;
- To develop targets and action plans to achieve the above, and to measure and publish information on our progress
