GHG Emissions  -  September 24, 2021

Dairy Sector Launches Pathway to Net Zero Initiative

The global dairy industry came together during Climate Week to launch the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative, focused on decarbonizing the sector.

Forty organizations have already declared their support for the initiative, including 11 of the 20 largest dairy companies in the world. These companies represent approximately 30% of the total milk production in the world.

The initiative targets six main areas of decarbonization: 

1. Mitigation. Continuing to improve production and process efficiency to further reduce the GHG emissions intensity of milk and dairy products.
2. Greenhouse gas removals. Enhancing production practices that protect carbon sinks (soil, forests, grass, peatlands) and complement natural ecosystems.
3. Avoidance and adaptation. Improving practices such as feed, manure, fertilizer and energy management.
4. Insets and offsets. Identify and implement alternative, credible reduction options.
5. Measurement and monitoring. Measuring greenhouse gas emissions to plan mitigation and monitor progress.
6. Overall support. Promoting the global initiative and emphasizing the dairy sector’s climate ambition.

“Pathways to Dairy Net Zero will accelerate climate efforts already underway and drive further necessary action to reduce dairy’s emissions over the next decades. The dairy sector has a lot to offer to lead this transition,” Hein Schumacher, chief executive officer of Royal FrieslandCampina and chairman of Global Dairy Platform, said in a statement. 

The initiative will also include research of the opportunities within the sector for positive climate change action led by Scotland’s Rural College and the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre. Some research suggests that the sector already has the means to reduce emissions up to 40% by improving productivity and resource use efficiency.

The list of current supporters includes: Nestle, Dairy Farmers of America, Danone, Fonterra Co-operative Group, Royal FrieslandCampina, Arla Foods, China Mengniu Dairy Company, Saputo, Meiji Holdings, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Ace Farming Company, Agri Networking Tools, Australian Dairy Products Federation, Brazzale, Dairy Australia, Dairy Connect, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Dairy Management Inc., Dairy UK, Dutch Dairy Association, First Milk, FOSS Analytics, Glanbia, Granja Tepeyac, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, International Dairy Foods Association, La Vida Lactea, Land O’Lakes, Lekhanath Dairy International, Leprino Foods Company, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Megmilk Snow Brand, Morinaga Milk Industry, National Dairy Development Board (India), National Milk Producers Federation (U.S.), Palmhouse Dairies, Pioneer Natural Capital, Royal DSM, U.S. Dairy Export Council.