Arla launches first dairy climate roadmap in UK

Arla Foods has launched a sustainability roadmap for the UK dairy industry, called Climate Roadmap – Towards Carbon Net Zero Dairy.

The company says this is “a first for the UK dairy industry”. 

The climate roadmap aims to provide consumers and retailers with “clear information around the future of sustainable dairy production”. It provides details on how Arla will deliver against its 2030 climate targets by reducing emissions across its entire value chain, including its farms, production sites and logistics.

Arla says its scope one and two emissions reduction target is consistent with changes needed to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees – a goal outlined by the Paris Agreement – and requires the cooperative to reduce both scopes emissions by 63%, against a 2015 baseline. These are among the first dairy industry climate targets to be verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

In addition, Arla plans to reduce scope three emissions by 30% per kg of milk and whey by the same date, also against a 2015 baseline. Arla is said to be the UK’s first dairy cooperative, and one of only 59 food and beverage processors globally, to meet this standard. 

Ben Wood, senior sustainability manager for Arla UK, said: “Dairy has a defining decade ahead. The demand for dairy is growing around the world, and we have a growing population to feed. But we must face into the challenges of reducing emissions to create a healthy planet alongside healthy people. Achieving approval for our scope one and two emissions from the SBTi is a key milestone on our way to ensuring we tackle the issues around food production, and being one of the first dairy companies globally to get this approval highlights our commitment to sustainable food.

He continued: “Milk is among the most nutritious, natural and accessible products on the shelves today, and our climate roadmap is another step on our long-term journey to producing it in the best possible way for the planet.”

Arla expects to reach carbon net zero across its entire business by 2050.