4,790 kg less carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the latest climate protection cooperation between Mars, Tesco and Waberer’s in Hungary

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 12. 04. 23:59

To reduce the carbon footprint of its suppliers’ activities Mars has partnered with two major companies in Hungary. This move is in line with its mother company’s Net Zero Roadmap to achieve net zero* carbon emissions by 2050.

Under the agreement, Mars products will now be delivered to Tesco’s distribution centre exclusively by Waberer’s electric trucks, preventing the emission of thousands of kilograms of greenhouse gases per year. All three companies are playing a major role in reducing environmental impacts in their respective fields, and by working together they are making an exemplary difference in the field of sustainable logistics in Hungary.

Mars Incorporated, is taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company announced in October 2021 that it will achieve zero net carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2050. To accelerate this, this autumn they published and made available to other companies the “accelerated, affordable and achievable” Mars Net Zero Roadmap. To eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, the company will invest more than $1 billion (approximately HUF 347 billion) over the next three years and will provide additional recourses as needed until full implementation.

  In parallel Mars Hungary has started to reduce the environmental impact of its logistics activities. Several multinational companies have also set net zero emissions targets. The key to achieving this is for organisations and companies to work together effectively, and Mars, Tesco and Waberer’s have just done that in Hungary. Under the agreement, Hungarian Mars products will be delivered exclusively by electric trucks from Waberer’s central logistics warehouse to Tesco’s distribution centre, thus preventing the emission of approximately 4790 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year.

This is how Richard Lemerle, Mars Regional Supply Chain Director for Southern and Central Europe, describes their three-way partnership:

“Mars Incorporated has a commitment to delivering a 50% reduction in GHG by 2030. I am extremerly proud of our ambitious partnership in pursuit of a sustainable future with Tesco and Waberer’s in Hungary, that enables us to locally support our global ambitions. By using fully electric trucks in our product delivery, we not only optimize our supply chain but also contribute to a greener planet, showing that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand, for the benefit of all.”  

Like Mars, the other two companies are committed to reducing their environmental impact.

Tesco is acutely aware that the effects of climate change could threaten its own operations, its supplier business, the livelihoods of farmers and workers in its supply chain and change the way customers shop and eat. That is why we all need to take action to reduce carbon emissions.

“At Tesco, we have already taken action and our goal is to become carbon neutral in our own operations by 2035 and to achieve Net Zero emissions throughout our supply chain by 2050, in line with the UN target of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Thanks to technological developments in recent years, we have been able to minimise the number of kilometres travelled by our vehicles and were the first in Hungary to introduce fully electric vans for our home delivery service. I am proud that we have taken another important step towards environmentally friendly transport thanks to the recent cooperation between Mars, Waberer’s and Tesco.”

– said Tamás Kámán, Tesco’s Procurement Director.

Waberer’s has made significant investments in its fleet of alternative-powered vehicles in the recent years, which currently consists of nine e-vans with a range of up to 300 kilometres, primarily designed for store delivery and inter-urban transport. Compared to diesel vehicles of a similar size, they have minimal environmental noise and zero carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, contributing to a healthier planet.

Szilárd Cser, Managing Director of Waberer’s subsidiary, stressed,

“The increasing CO2 emissions from the transport sector are a global concern. In recent years, this sector has accounted for 16% of all emissions and this is a major challenge for all of us. Waberer’s has always made it a priority to reduce its carbon footprint and commit to sustainability. However, we believe that only by working together can we achieve results in this fight, as a meaningful reduction in the negative environmental impacts of logistics and transport activities can only be achieved by the actors in the supply chain working together. We are delighted to be part of this exemplary partnership with Mars and Tesco.”

The cooperation between the three large companies is a milestone in the sustainable operation of Mars logistics in Hungary and an excellent example for future similar collaborations.

* Net zero refers to a state where greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced, with non-removable emissions being offset by the removal of carbon dioxide.  

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