Mondelēz International has announced it is committing to a 2050 target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its full value chain. As part of the commitment, Mondelēz has signed the Science based Targets Initiative’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C, aligning its long-term emissions mitigation targets with the ambitious aim of limiting temperature rise in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Mondelēz has also joined the United Nations Race to Zero Campaign in what it says is a bid to “build momentum towards a decarbonised economy.”  

“For the last several years, we’ve worked with the Science based Targets initiative to reduce our emissions footprint and our announcement today will help accelerate our existing efforts to create a more sustainable snacking company,” said Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“We’re transforming how we do business across our operations and with the suppliers and farmers we work with – from seeking to improve cocoa farming practices in West Africa to promoting regenerative agriculture in wheat fields in the Midwest United States.” 

Over the next two years, the company will lay out a time-bound plan including interim targets for its key emissions sources consistent with the 1.5°C protocol and will provide annual progress reviews for transparency as laid out by the Science based Target initiative.

Among the areas the manufacturer is looking to focus on is its cocoa sourcing, which will be totally sourced through the Cocoa Life Program by 2025. In addition, 100 percent of packaging is to be recycle ready by 2025, and Mondelēz says it will also reduce overall virgin plastic use by five percent and reduce overall virgin rigid plastic by 25 percent.

“While we’ve already made significant progress, the road to net zero will require further transformation of our business as well as global collaboration across industries, sectors and landscapes,” said Chris McGrath, Vice President and Chief of Global Impact & Sustainability.

“We will remain focused on leveraging proven models and available solutions, while at the same time using our scale and influence to help drive technical advancement, public-private collaboration and investment to incubate innovation.”