• Mars Climate School, developed with Project Drawdown, aims for 80% completion across key functions by 2025.
• The six-hour e-learning program is mandatory for senior leaders in R&D, Supply, Commercial, and Corporate Affairs.
• The initiative links directly to Mars’ Net Zero roadmap and broader sustainability upskilling strategy.
Building a Climate-Literate Workforce
Mars Incorporated has launched Mars Climate School, a global e-learning initiative designed to equip employees with the knowledge and tools to support the company’s Net Zero ambitions. The six-hour digital program, hosted on Mars University, forms part of the company’s strategy to integrate climate understanding across its operations and supply chain.
The training targets senior leaders and managers in functions critical to achieving emissions reductions — including research and development, supply chain, commercial, and corporate affairs. Mars said the goal is to reach 80% completion across these key groups by the end of 2025, creating a workforce capable of embedding climate considerations into everyday decision-making.
“Our Climate School is more than just training; it’s part of a movement to empower our people to lead the way toward a sustainable future,” said Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mars. “Sharing this story publicly reflects our commitment to transparency, innovation, and collective action.”
Science-Based Learning for Practical Action
Developed in partnership with Project Drawdown, a leading authority on climate solutions, Mars Climate School blends interactive videos, scenario-based modules, and real-world examples to translate climate science into business relevance.
The program’s three sections — Climate Basics, Climate for Business, and Climate at Mars — build a progression from global science to company-specific action. Employees explore how climate change intersects with industry operations, what mitigation pathways exist today, and how Mars’ Net Zero roadmap translates into actionable steps across its brands and supply chain.
Each module is designed to move learners from understanding to implementation, using practical tools that help link climate objectives with operational performance.
“Mars Climate School gives our Associates the knowledge to make a difference,” said Alessandro Bussi, Global Supply and Technology Staff Officer. “When people understand the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of climate action, they generate ideas that drive innovation.”
From Awareness to Advocacy
Graduates of the program become designated “Climate Heroes” — internal advocates who integrate sustainability thinking into their teams and promote low-carbon innovation. Thousands of employees have already enrolled, and the company expects participation to expand rapidly as completion becomes a leadership expectation.
Mars sees this initiative as part of a broader cultural shift, embedding environmental responsibility across every level of the business. The company said the Climate School complements its existing sustainability courses on sourcing, packaging, logistics, and operations — all aimed at developing a workforce equipped to accelerate the transition to Net Zero.
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Implications for Corporate Climate Governance
For corporate sustainability leaders, Mars’ approach represents a growing trend: linking workforce capability directly to climate targets. By mandating training for leadership roles, the company is positioning climate competence as a core management skill — not a peripheral responsibility.
This aligns with emerging expectations from investors and regulators, who increasingly view employee climate literacy as essential to credible decarbonization. By grounding its training in the methodologies of Project Drawdown, Mars is also addressing the scrutiny around science-based alignment and measurable outcomes.
As multinational companies navigate tightening disclosure requirements and Net Zero pledges, Mars’ model suggests a new dimension of climate governance — one rooted in internal education, cultural accountability, and shared literacy across corporate hierarchies.
A Broader Signal for Business Transformation
Mars’ Climate School comes as businesses globally face rising pressure to demonstrate tangible progress toward emissions reduction. While many companies focus on infrastructure or technology, Mars’ emphasis on employee education positions human capital as a strategic lever in the climate transition.
By investing in internal capability rather than external offsets alone, Mars is redefining what Net Zero readiness looks like inside the enterprise — from the boardroom to the production line.
The initiative may offer a replicable framework for other multinationals seeking to translate corporate pledges into organization-wide engagement — a critical step if global Net Zero ambitions are to move from policy to practice.
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