Processors boost GHG credentials
Dairy's superpowers are lifting their game on proving greenhouse gas credentials.
French dairy giant Danone says its popular NZ-made infant formula Karicare will become carbon neutral by 2030.
The company says it is working with its New Zealand suppliers and farmers to “foster regenerative agricultural practices and improve soil health, continue to invest in decarbonisation of operations and focus on packaging”.
Karicare carbon emissions associated with operations is a significant area of focus for Danone.
A $30 million biomass boiler to provide renewable heat at its spray drying facility in Balclutha will be operational next year, eliminating around 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Danone will also move to 100% renewable electricity for all its New Zealand plants next year. It says between the move to renewable energy and biomass-based heating, the total operational CO2 emissions at the Balclutha plant will be reduced by 95%.
It is also working to eliminate unneeded packaging, or design it for recycling, reusing or composting.
Managing director Nutricia Oceania, Rodrigo Lima, says Karicare’s journey to carbon neutrality is greatly aided by its production in New Zealand.
“At Danone, our core belief is that the health of the planet and health of people are interconnected.
“That’s why we’re committed to taking real steps that help us bring our products to market in a way that minimises any impact on climate change, including transitioning production of our milk formula products to practices that are more sustainable.”
BNZ says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through an innovative new initiative that helps make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm will be tweaking some management practices after an animal welfare complaint laid in mid-August, despite the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into the complaint finding no cause for action.
A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.