Thursday, 09 November 2023 13:49

Nestle backs Fonterra’s Scope 3 target

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Nestlé New Zealand chief executive Jennifer Chappell. Nestlé New Zealand chief executive Jennifer Chappell.

Global food giant Nestlé has welcomed Fonterra’s newly released Scope 3 emissions target.

The company says Fonterra’s target supports its own ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain.

Fonterra is targeting a 30% intensity reduction in on-farm emissions by 2030 – from a 2018 baseline which will see it further reduce the emissions profile of its products.

Of Fonterra’s emissions, 86% come from on-farm, and the new target is seeking to reduce emissions intensity by tonne of FPCM (fat and protein corrected milk) collected by Fonterra. The target is co-operative wide and not based on individual farms.

Fonterra has claimed that major consumers like Nestlé are pushing the co-operative to reduce its emissions footprint. Farmers are being told that customers like Nestlé could turn to other processors if Fonterra doesn’t come to the party.

Nestlé New Zealand chief executive Jennifer Chappell says that as a major buyer of New Zealand dairy ingredients, Nestlé continues to work with processors such as Fonterra to support farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture practices that help reduce emissions.

“This move by Fonterra will encourage even greater action by farmers, researchers and policy makers in support of a just transition for the dairy industry, which in turn, will help the industry and dairy farmers make the most of the economic opportunities presented by the shift to lower emissions,” says Chappell.

“Nestlé has sourced dairy from New Zealand for well over a hundred years. We will continue supporting farmers alongside our partners to develop new economic opportunities and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We do this by prioritising our sourcing from farmers engaged in lowering emissions, by providing technical support, and by paying a premium for their products.”

Nestlé released its Science Based Targets initiative-aligned Net Zero Roadmap in 2020, committing the company to reduce its absolute emissions by 20% by 2025 and 50% by 2030 on the way to net zero by 2050, even as the company grows.

“Climate change is one of society’s greatest challenges, and requires all of us to act with urgency. As dairy is our single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions we must work with dairy farmers and their communities towards our goal while supporting a just transition. For this reason, we have over 100 pilot projects with partners around the world, including in New Zealand,” says Chappell.

More like this

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

LCAs tackle false narratives

The quest to measure, report and make sense of the energy that goes into food production has come a long way in the past 25 years.

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up in the pockets of farmer shareholders.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Organic sector backtracks on GE

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says the Government’s new gene editing and genetic modification reforms could leave New Zealand as…

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up…

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter