> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cocoaradar.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Key challenges for Child as he becomes Mars Inc.'s new Chief Sustainability Officer - URL: https://cocoaradar.com/key-challenges-for-child-as-he-becomes-mars-inc-s-new-chief-sustainability-officer/ - Published: 2025-01-21T15:45:14.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-21T15:45:14.000Z - Description: Alastair Child is set to take over from Barry Parkin as Chief Sustainability Officer of Mars, Incorporated at a pivotal time for the cocoa sector - and Mars - Author: Anthony Myers - Tags: Mars As Mars continues its efforts to realize ambitions laid out in its [Sustainable in a Generation Plan](https://www.mars.com/mars-sustainability-plan-markets?ref=cocoaradar.com) and achieve the milestones set out on its Net Zero Roadmap, Child will be responsible for the development of the company’s sustainability agenda. As part of Mars’ [Net Zero Roadmap](https://www.mars.com/sites/g/files/dfsbuz106/files/2023-09/Mars%20Net%20Zero%20Roadmap%202050%5F2.pdf?ref=cocoaradar.com), the company plans to halve full value chain emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2050\. It claims to be already delivering on its promises, with [16% absolute reductions in GHG emissions in 2023](https://www.mars.com/sites/g/files/dfsbuz106/files/2024-07/2023%20Sustainable%20in%20a%20Generation%20Report%5F5.pdf?ref=cocoaradar.com) against a 2015 baseline across its entire value chain. ## Sign up for From The Desk of CocoaRadar 'From our desk to yours'. News and analysis on cocoa intel and chocolate trends you won't read elsewhere. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Parkin was instrumental in developing many of the above initiatives. He will retire from Mars in March, passing the baton to Child on 3 February. With the [World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting ](https://worldcocoafoundation.org/partnership-meeting/join-us?ref=cocoaradar.com#about) in São Paulo in March, Child will be well aware of Mars’s responsibilities as one of the organization’s senior members. [World Cocoa Foundation returns to LATAM with an emphasis on ‘South-South’ talks for its next Partnership MeetingThe World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting is set to convene in São Paulo, Brazil, in March, the first time it will have been held in the southern hemisphere since 2018 due to disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic. Here’s what to expect.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/e5/42e56cb4-2135-4886-b7a8-860153b64965/content/images/icon/sophie-LOGO-FINAL_WEB-51.png)From The Desk of CocoaRadarAnthony Myers![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/e5/42e56cb4-2135-4886-b7a8-860153b64965/content/images/thumbnail/WCF-PM-Brazil-Cocoa-Farmers.jpg)](https://cocoaradar.com/world-cocoa-foundation-returns-to-latam-with-an-emphasis-on-south-south-talks-for-its-next-partnership-meeting/) ### Challenges on the Mars' road ahead He also plays a critical role in advancing the company’s sustainability goals while ensuring business viability. Success will require a strategic blend of innovation, collaboration, and transparency and a relentless focus on creating value for all stakeholders. Mars Incorporated has taken significant steps to align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities, but the new CSO must navigate complex challenges to achieve these goals. Cocoaradar.com looks at some of the key challenges: ### Ethical and sustainable sourcing The WCF Partnership Meeting will discuss the root causes of deforestation and child labour. Large companies like Mars have a responsibility to ensure traceability in large-scale supply chains. ### Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Mars is already on the path to achieving its Net-Zero Carbon Emissions, but challenges remain, especially in a complex supply chain with emissions spread across regions and sectors. Addressing Scope 3 emissions from suppliers and product usage should also be a priority. One solution could be AI-driven tools to map and monitor emissions across its supply chain, focusing on hotspots for intervention. ### The bottom line Perhaps Child's main challenge is balancing profitability and sustainability on the company’s spreadsheet. Parkin had the full backing of the board to implement schemes and Child will no doubt have a large budget to work with. In São Paulo, the WCF will gather C-suite leaders to discuss the business economics of sustainability investments, balancing profitability with societal expectations. This talk will take place against high upfront costs for sustainable initiatives, combined with market pressure to maintain competitive pricing. Cocoa and other raw materials costs have skyrocketed in the past 12 months. Child will lead a team of 30 sustainability leaders and experts with responsibilities in climate, coral restoration, community, packaging, data, and analytics. For the last seven years, he has played a critical role in Mars Snacking, driving a strategy to embed sustainability across the enterprise. During his tenure in the department, the company made significant strides in its deforestation-free palm oil and pulp & paper supply chains, doubled the incomes of mint farmers in northern India, led a wide range of sustainable packaging innovations, such as paper-wrapped bars, and helped Mars decouple greenhouse gas emissions from growth with programmes such as the [Moo’ving Dairy Forward](https://www.mars.com/sustainability-plan/dairy-sustainability?ref=cocoaradar.com) initiative. He will report to Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs & Sustainability and member of the Mars Leadership Team. Childsaid: “It’s an honour to take on this role. With average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels for the first time in 2024, it is imperative that we continue to deliver on our promises and prove that sustainability is good for business. I look forward to collaborating with our partners, associates, and stakeholders to ensure that we continue to grow responsibly.” --- **cocoaradar.com is:** - **Official Media Partner -** [**World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting**](https://worldcocoafoundation.org/partnership-meeting/join-us?ref=cocoaradar.com#about) **in São Paulo, Brazil, 19-20 March 2025** - **'From Our Desk. To Yours'** - [**Sign-up here**](https://cocoaradar.com/#/portal) **for free and choose your plan**