Mary Jane Melendez: TIME100 Climate 2024

General Mills is consistently recognized as a leader in corporate sustainability efforts – from supporting ambitious climate policy to promoting regenerative agriculture. Mary Jane Melendez, GM’s head of sustainability and global impact, is leading these efforts. Under her leadership, last year the company reduced its scope 3 emissions by 7% and scope 1 and 2 emissions by 12% without using carbon offsets. This year he collaborated Ahold Delhaize USAone of the country’s largest food retailers to support sustainable agriculture in their shared supply chains.

What is the most important action you think the public, or a specific company or government (other than yours), needs to take in the next year to advance the climate agenda?

Commitment to promoting the climate agenda is the first step. As a food company, nearly half of General Mills’ greenhouse gas emissions occur upstream of our direct operations, so one area we have a distinct focus on is advancing the regenerative agriculture movement. Regenerative agriculture can help address climate change, as well as improve soil health and bring other human and planetary benefits.

General Mills competes fiercely on the shelf, but never when it comes to doing it right. Net zero is a global goal and moving to a collaborative mindset is essential. By learning from each other, pooling resources, and contributing to common goals, we can move faster, enable tremendous impact, and support broader systems change.

Where should climate activism go next year?

Individual company goals and related investments are ultimately in service of larger, shared societal and planetary goals. That’s why collective action and co-investment are essential and will help ensure we don’t lose track of why we have those targets in the first place.

General Mills wants to generate greater impact in shared agricultural landscapes with partners along the value chain. We have chosen to work with farmers and community partners in key regions or ‘supply stores’ rather than just working with farmers in our direct supply chain. We believe the benefits will accrue to our business over time. It also supports broader systems change so that not just General Mills, but the entire industry can benefit.

What if, collectively, we focused less on individual company goals and who gets credit and more on collaborating across the public, private and civil sectors to contribute to greater impact?

If you could stand up and talk to world leaders at the next UN climate change conference, what would you say?

Climate extremes and weather events caused by a warming Earth are impacting lives, our planet and businesses. Over time, the quality and availability of Earth’s natural resources have declined, while the need to provide for a growing population has increased. Collective action is needed and the time to act is now.