About the Initiative

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is an initiative unlike any other in agriculture in TERMS OF size and scope.

It brings together dairy farms of every size and type, as well as organizations throughout the dairy supply chain.

Launched September 22, 2021, during Climate Week and just prior to the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit, this growing movement is dedicated to reducing dairy’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 30 years.

Together we will amplify the efforts and initiatives already in place, optimizing and reducing emissions to safeguard nutrition security and sustain a billion livelihoods for tomorrow, while helping secure a future for us all.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is an initiative unlike any other in agriculture in TERMS OF size and scope.

It brings together dairy farms of every size and type, as well as organizations throughout the dairy supply chain.

Launched September 22, 2021, during Climate Week and just prior to the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit, this growing movement is dedicated to reducing dairy’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 30 years.

Together we will amplify the efforts and initiatives already in place, optimizing and reducing emissions to safeguard nutrition security and sustain a billion livelihoods for tomorrow, while helping secure a future for us all.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is an initiative unlike any other in agriculture in TERMS OF size and scope.

It brings together dairy farms of every size and type, as well as organizations throughout the dairy supply chain.

Launched September 22, 2021, during Climate Week and just prior to the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit, this growing movement is dedicated to reducing dairy’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 30 years.

Together we will amplify the efforts and initiatives already in place, optimizing and reducing emissions to safeguard nutrition security and sustain a billion livelihoods for tomorrow, while helping secure a future for us all.

HOW PATHWAYS TO DAIRY NET ZERO CAN SUPPORT YOU.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, your contribution matters.
Everyone in the global dairy community can support Pathways to Dairy Net Zero.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero will:
  • Include commitments from the global dairy value chain to tackle climate change, while nourishing a growing population and sustaining the billion livelihoods dairy supports.

  • Create methodologies, tools and pathways to transform commitments into positive, practical actions.

  • Highlight progress from around the world, share best practices and recognize that all farms, all dairy systems and all regions can be more sustainable.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, your contribution matters.

Everyone in the global dairy community can support Pathways to Dairy Net Zero.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero will:
  • Include commitments from the global dairy value chain to tackle climate change, while nourishing a growing population and sustaining the billion livelihoods dairy supports.

  • Create methodologies, tools and pathways to transform commitments into positive, practical actions.

  • Highlight progress from around the world, share best practices and recognize that all farms, all dairy systems and all regions can be more sustainable.

HOW PATHWAYS TO DAIRY NET ZERO CAN SUPPORT YOU.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, your contribution matters.

Everyone in the global dairy community can support Pathways to Dairy Net Zero.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero will:
  • Include commitments from the global dairy value chain to tackle climate change, while nourishing a growing population and sustaining the billion livelihoods dairy supports.

  • Create methodologies, tools and pathways to transform commitments into positive, practical actions.

  • Highlight progress from around the world, share best practices and recognize that all farms, all dairy systems and all regions can be more sustainable.

HOW PATHWAYS TO DAIRY NET ZERO CAN SUPPORT YOU.

“THE DAIRY SECTOR PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS AND CAN CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY TO ALL THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.”

Mr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

SIX PRINCIPLES OF PATHWAYS TO DAIRY NET ZERO

SIX PRINCIPLES OF PATHWAYS TO DAIRY NET ZERO

Mitigation

Continue to improve production and process efficiency to further reduce the GHG emissions intensity of milk and dairy products

GHG removal

Enhance production practices that protect carbon sinks (soil, forests, grass and peatlands) and complement natural ecosystems.

Avoidance and adaptation

Improve practices such as feed, manure, fertilizer and energy management.

Insets and offsets

Identify and implement alternative, credible reduction options.

Measurement and monitoring

Measure GHG emissions to plan mitigation and monitor progress.

Overall support

Promote the initiative and emphasize the dairy sector’s climate ambition.

SIX PRINCIPLES OF PATHWAYS TO DAIRY NET ZERO

Mitigation

Continue to improve production and process efficiency to further reduce the GHG emissions intensity of milk and dairy products.

GHG removals

Enhance production practices that protect carbon sinks (soil, forests, grass and peatlands) and complement natural ecosystems.

Avoidance and adaptation

Improve practices such as feed, manure, fertilizer and energy management.

Insets and offsets

Identify and implement alternative, credible reduction options.

Measurement and monitoring

Measure GHG emissions to plan mitigation and monitor progress.

Overall support

Promote the initiative and emphasize the dairy sector’s climate ambition.

Discover more about Pathways to Dairy Net Zero and how you can be a part of it:

OUR JOURNEY SO FAR AND WHERE WE ARE HEADING

2014 Dairy Sustainability Framework established

Dairy Sustainability Framework established

Creating global, overarching goals to align the sector’s actions towards sustainability, and enabling annual reporting of progress, which began in 2018.

2016 Dairy Declaration signed in Rotterdam

Dairy Declaration signed in Rotterdam

A commitment to the sustainable development of the dairy sector across six key areas, formalized at the World Dairy Summit.

2019 FAO Global Climate Change and Global Dairy Cattle Sector Study

FAO Global Climate Change and Global Dairy Cattle Sector Study

Analysis from 2005-2015 showed a reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity based on efficiency improvements made by the sector.1

July 2021 Announcement  at the United Nations Food Systems Pre-Summit

Announcement at the United Nations Food Systems Pre-Summit

New Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative announced on July 26, 2021.

September 2021 Launch at United Nations Food Systems Summit launched on September 22, 2021

Launch of Pathways to Dairy Net Zero at United Nations Food Systems Summit and Climate Week

Initiative launched on September 22, 2021.

November 2021 Sharing progress and driving change at COP26

Sharing progress and driving change at COP26

During the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the global dairy sector encouraged climate commitments and demonstrated progress already being made.

November 2022 Sharing progress and driving change at COP26

Launch of mitigation pathways at COP27

Results of P2DNZ, GRA and FAO research program, including mitigation pathways for each dairy production system.

1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Global Dairy and GHG Emissions. 2019. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/CA3165EN/ca3165en.pdf
[Last accessed July 2021].

Thank you.

We look forward to keeping you updated on this vital mission and 

how you can be a part of it.