At COP27 today the dairy sector reported its progress underway as part of its global Pathways to Dairy Net Zero effort, the first of its kind in agriculture in terms of size and scope.
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The dairy sector today announced progress of its global Pathways to Dairy Net Zero (P2DNZ) climate initiative, which was launched last year. The ground-breaking effort is achieving positive results in many regions and accelerating action in others, according to speakers at a COP27 side event, “The Global Dairy Sector’s Climate Ambition and Progress Towards Achievement of the Paris Agreement.” P2DNZ is backed by more than 140 leading organizations and governments, including the 10 largest dairy companies in the world. Collectively, supporters represent more than 40% of global dairy production throughout the supply chain, making it one of the largest initiatives of its kind in agriculture. “Dairy is a major force for good in the world, especially when you consider how the sector helps provide important nutrition to the hungry and malnourished and helps build strong, resilient economies, said Hein Schumacher, chair of Global Dairy Platform, one of the founders of Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, and CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina. “By systematically introducing and enhancing climate action in global dairy systems, dairy is tackling the challenge and making progress in reducing our impact on the planet,” he said.
Research is Identifying Practical Pathways for Dairy Systems Worldwide The six dairy production systems include:
Researchers are also modeling the impact on warming of cumulative emissions for each GHG. This work is critical because each gas has a different effect and unique longevity in the atmosphere. For instance, while methane is a highly potent GHG it breaks down in the atmosphere in 12 years. Whereas other gases, such as carbon dioxide, can remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Although mitigation options will vary by each dairy production system, some of the primary pathways include improving animal health, increasing feed digestibility, enhanced manure storage and treatment, more efficient fertilizer use and the potential adoption of methane-inhibiting feed additives. “Because GRA brings together leading expertise in agricultural GHG emissions, we are pleased to be working on the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative to map emissions and mitigation potential within the diverse range of global dairy production systems,” said Dr. Harry Clark, co-chair of the Livestock Research Group of GRA and co-director of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre. “While there are good options emerging for dairy systems in developed countries, our analysis reinforces the importance of developing and implementing appropriate options for regions and systems where the climate, soil and access to markets have limited options,” he said.
Progress in Developed Markets
Tackling Emissions in Emerging Markets To help facilitate and accelerate these efforts, the global dairy sector, the Global Methane Pledge, FAO and others have invited 10 developing dairy countries to join P2DNZ as “early adopters.” Collectively these countries represent more than 30% of the sector’s global GHG emissions and include (those in bold have already accepted):
For more information, or to join Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, visit: www.pathwaystodairynetzero.org. ###
About Pathways to Dairy Net Zero Partners include: Global Dairy Platform, International Dairy Federation, Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform, International Livestock Research Institute, Dairy Sustainability Framework and IFCN Dairy Research Network. The Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases is a knowledge partner. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221110005906/en/ CONTACT:
Kevin Burkum, Director of Communications |
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