increase font size
Fonterra acknowledges that progress on on-farm emissions intensity reduction target has been challenging.
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
It builds on the co-operative's climate roadmap, with near-term emission reduction targets remaining a key part of the path towards their ambition to be net zero by 2050.
The roadmap is also important for Fonterra's global customers who recognise the inherent value of New Zealand's grass-fed dairy and are increasingly interested in the improvements the co-op is making across its supply chain.
Global customers are interested in the data and insights Fonterra can provide right down to an individual farm level, showing the hard work of its farmers.
Charlotte Rutherford, director of sustainability at Fonterra, told Dairy News that their commitment to sustainability remains strong.
Rutherford says the roadmap recognises the hard work their farmers do every day to care for the land, animals and environment that are the foundations of New Zealand's world-leading pasture-based farming.
"A huge thank you to our farmers, whose dedication and daily efforts underpin the path set out in this roadmap."
According to the refreshed roadmap, Fonterra is working alongside farmers to maintain high standards of animal wellbeing.
With high health and welfare standards, NZ cows live longer, productive lives.
The co-op says highly productive cows are essential for producing high quality milk.
"The way we farm in New Zealand means cows spend most of their time outdoors on pasture... This has positive animal health and wellbeing benefits for our cows."
On climate, Fonterra says reducing emissions remains a critical component of its climate action plan.
"However, we acknowledge that impacts of climate change are already being felt across the globe. This is why we are also considering how we adapt to climate change for the future of our co-operative."
Fonterra's 2026 emissions profile is made up of 4.5% scope one emissions - direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the co-op.
Scope two - indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy - makes up 1.5%.
Scope three is 94% and is mad up of indirect emissions Fonterra incurs outside its ownership, primarily from farming activities.
The co-op says its net zero 2050 ambition is supported by eliminating remaining coal as an energy source in its operations by 2037.
On farming emissions, Fonterra notes that the same pasture-based system that helps them create grass-fed dairy products also presents unique challenges when it comes to reducing on-farm emissions.
The co-op acknowledges that progress with its on-farm emissions intensity reduction target has been challenging.
It is inventing in on-farm tools and services to strengthen on-farm decision making, while also preparing to adopt novel technologies as they become commercially available.
On nature, Fonterra says the significance of 'natural decline' (environmental degredation) is becoming a global focus.
"Key markets like Europe and Asia are advancing disclosure requirements relating to nature which will impact companies selling goods and services into these regions."
The Government is introducing a new nationwide rural recycling scheme that will significantly increase the recovery of farm plastics from March next year, Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg announced today.
Developed in Australia and launched in 2021, John Deere’s See & Spray Select System uses camera-based green-on-brown technology to identify living green plant matter in fallow paddocks and apply herbicide only where it is needed.
B+LNZ's Wormwise veterinarian Mary Bowron has won the Best Sheep and Beef Vet of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.
With lambing underway in many regions, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is encouraging farmers to put together a wellequipped lambing kit to help minimise lamb losses, particularly in bad weather.
Researchers at Massey University are using a special piece of scientific equipment to improve the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soils.
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
The Government is introducing a new nationwide rural recycling scheme that will significantly increase the recovery of farm plastics from March next year, Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg announced today.
B+LNZ's Wormwise veterinarian Mary Bowron has won the Best Sheep and Beef Vet of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.
Researchers at Massey University are using a special piece of scientific equipment to improve the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soils.
More signs of a booming kiwifruit sector.
OPINION: David Seymour and James Meager's plan to make it easier for farmers and orchardists to operate drones can best be described a 'courageous' move.
