Mars CSO Alastair Child Tops Sustainability Leaders List
Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mars, has been placed at the Number One position in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 Sustainability Leaders 2026.
The recognition acknowledges Alastair's role in steering the sustainability efforts of one of the globe's largest food and drink product manufacturers.
Alastair's professional journey
In February 2025, Alastair took on the CSO position, following a seven-year stint as CSO for Mars Wrigley.
His association with Mars began in 2001, with his 24-year career at the organisation encompassing roles in brand management, global partnerships and cocoa sustainability prior to his global appointments.
During his time at Mars Wrigley, Alastair oversaw efforts to reduce deforestation across palm oil and pulp supply chains, alongside implementing innovative packaging solutions.
On LinkedIn, Alastair states: "On our current trajectory, the world is headed for catastrophic and irreversible damage to the planet and its people.
"From everything I have learned from studying as a geographer, from living and working with vulnerable communities and leading sustainability at Mars, I believe we can partner to redefine and transform business from a model of extracting value to one where we create value for nature and people."
Driving sustainability initiatives at Mars
Alastair oversees the execution of sustainability strategies at Mars, which includes restructuring supply chains to tackle critical challenges such as deforestation, regenerative agriculture and logistics.
According to Mars' 2024 Sustainable in a Generation report, the company achieved a 16.4% reduction in emissions by the end of 2024, while revenue increased by US$55bn.
Agricultural emissions represent one of the company's most significant obstacles.
To transition towards climate-smart practices, the company has backed 60 projects globally.
The organisation aims to maintain its total land footprint at current levels, ensuring its value chain does not indirectly drive additional agricultural expansion.
According to 2024 data, the company has kept its land footprint flat against its 2015 baseline, demonstrating its dedication to responsible land stewardship.
On LinkedIn, Alastair writes: "Sustainability is not a race any company wants to win. It's both not possible to be sustainable if others are not, and it's pointless.
"We only succeed as a collective, sustainability is a team sport.
"We have long known our impacts are predominantly in the Scope 3 supply chain. We ARE our customers' Scope 3 supply chain.
"So it's imperative we improve their footprint through partnership if the broader business community is to succeed in meeting our needs without compromising the next generation."
All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:
- Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
- Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22
Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.
Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.
Advancing sustainability ambitions
In 2024, Mars has strengthened its initiatives under the Sustainable in a Generation Plan, which targets halving value chain emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
In pursuit of this objective, Alastair manages a team of 30 sustainability experts, concentrating on diverse areas including climate, coral restoration, packaging and data analytics.
Embedding sustainability throughout every facet of Mars' operations and supply chains represents his central objective.
Following Alastair's appointment, Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Mars, said: "Alastair has established himself as a strong, well-respected leader.
"He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a key part in ensuring sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our business to help us build the world we want tomorrow."
Achieving the company's sustainability objectives depends on collaboration with key players throughout the supply chain.
Alastair's role as CSO demonstrates the company's dedication to sustainability, both across its own operations and for its stakeholders and suppliers.
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Alastair Child
Chief Sustainability Officer