Barry Parkin

"We can halve our footprint with known technology"

Barry Parkin, Chief Sustainability Officer of Mars, underscores the urgent need for corporate involvement in tackling the climate crisis. With carbon footprints that rival those of small nations, the participation of major corporations is vital. 

Parkin candidly acknowledges the slow pace of progress since COP27, urging both governments and corporations to expedite their efforts. Mars, for its part, pledges to halve its carbon footprint by 2030, demonstrating that existing technology and science already provide viable solutions. However, Parkin notes a concerning gap between corporate commitments and action, with only a fraction of companies on track to meet their net zero goals.  

Advocating for stronger incentives and accountability measures, Parkin suggests that governments implement policies and taxes to propel industries forward. Importantly, he remains optimistic, stressing that applying current technologies can significantly reduce emissions and align with the ambitious 1.5-degree target. The path forward is clear and achievable if acted upon decisively.