Arla UK has launched a new report revealing carbon footprint data from almost 2,000 dairy farms and the steps being taken to reduce farm emissions by 30% by 2030.
The report, “A sustainable future for British dairy” uses data from Year 1 Climate Check results and shows that Arla’s UK dairy farmers are already producing milk with 1.13kg CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per kg of milk, around half the global average.
It also details the most common areas which farmers will focus on to reduce emissions further and the emerging technologies being trialled by Arla.
By deep-diving into the data, the report highlights the large number of variables (both within and outside of a farmer’s control) that affect Arla farms’ carbon data and emphasises that farm management rather than farm system has the greatest effect on climate impact.
Tackling carbon emissions
“Here in the UK, we are seeing increasing pressure on the food industry to take real action in the area of carbon emissions,” said Alice Swift, director of member relations UK.
Our retail customers and the government are looking for reassurance that the agricultural supply base is taking this issue seriously and we know that dairy farming is widely considered to have a high carbon footprint.
“We see this report as an opportunity to explain how we are already measuring and monitoring our progress, and provide a balanced science-based debate on the hot topics surrounding dairy.
“Arla believes that dairy can and should be part of a sustainable diet. The Climate Check report is testament to the hard work Arla farmers have put in and will enable the company to advocate further on farmers’ behalf.
“Reliable, transparent data, like that generated by Climate Check, is crucial to both helping farmers meet the challenges of environmental change and demonstrating the effect of the steps they are taking.”
