Dairy market leader, Arla, are aiming to take a step forward in their goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. They claim to have completed one of the biggest analyses of Scope 3 data carbon emissions in their sector, covering the whole value chain from cow to consumer for metrics such as climate, air, water, and biodiversity (nature).
Currently, the CO2 emissions for one litre of Arla milk is about half the global average but they also hope to shrink their emissions from packaging and transport, whilst also dealing with a 40% growth in sales (since 1990). To collect their Scope 3 analysis, they have received data from over 8,100 supplier farms and converted them into externally verified carbon figures. Some of the data they collected include how many animals are owned, fuel usage, animal feel, chosen fertilisers and waste management.
So why is scope 3 analysis so important for a company like Arla? Scope 3 emissions or on farm emissions are where most of the impact of their supply chain are felt. Whilst their processing plants and dairy can be modified to be low energy relatively simply, tackling emissions on all the farms of their supply chain is a much more complex job, and requires buy in from their suppliers as well as clear management to achieve maximum results.
So, what are Arla going to do with this information? Focusing on their source farms, they will focus on switching equipment to models that use less fuel or use fossil-fuel alternatives. Farmers on Arla farms already practice eco-driving, and they are using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to power their farm. They are also looking to try changing the cows feed to reduce methane production, as well as utilise manure for biogas production to provide a novel source of renewable energy. They will also be looking at ways to improve on farm caron sequestration through grassland and waste management. Arla is also committed to increasing their ecological restoration and access to nature by planting more trees, bushes, hedges, and flowers on their farmland.
“We want to leverage our position as the leading international farming cooperative with 10,300 farmers and perhaps the most comprehensive understanding of dairy farming and production in Northern Europe to accelerate the transition to sustainable dairy production” – dairy farmer and chairman of Arla Foods, Jan Toft Nørgaard.
Given the government’s plans for Net Zero other agricultural companies are likely to be watching Arla’s progress carefully. If they continue to reduce their carbon footprint and follow their science-based targets hopefully they will inspire other market leaders to do the same.
Did you know District Eating are able to assist your business with its scope 3 emission recording and mitigation plan? Please get in touch for more details.
