Dairy companies ‘turning blind eye’ to global methane emissions, report suggests

Big dairy companies are “turning a unsighted eye” to climate-damaging methane emissions, an appraisal of the industry’s show has found.

Animal agriculture accounts for 32% of planetary emissions of methane, a greenhouse state astir 80 times much potent than c dioxide implicit a 20-year period, with the breeding of cattle for beverage and nutrient a cardinal driver.

Methane has been assessed arsenic liable for astir fractional the full planetary somesthesia emergence since 1750. But since it is short-lived successful the ambiance compared with c dioxide, cuts to emissions person been identified arsenic an urgent determination successful tackling clime breakdown.

However, an appraisal of 20 large dairy and java store chains – with combined revenues exceeding $420bn (£323bn), astir fractional the worth of the estimated size of the planetary dairy manufacture – recovered astir deficiency wide methane simplification targets, credible enactment plans oregon adjacent basal transparency connected emissions.

The nutrient products corp Danone came apical successful a league array compiled by researchers, being the lone institution to person a methane-specific target. The US-based institution General Mills came successful 2nd place, having published a clime people but not 1 circumstantial to methane. Nestlé and Arla came third, with Nestlé the lone institution to person explicitly supported reducing dairy consumption.

Of the companies assessed, lone Nestlé and Danone claimed to person really chopped emissions, contempt each but 2 having affirmed methane and livestock airs a menace to the climate.

“Dairy accumulation is simply a uncommon lever to power methane emissions, but 1 that firms intelligibly don’t privation to touch,” said Nusa Urbancic, the main enforcement of Changing Markets, which carried retired the research.

“The near-total lack of methane-specific targets and credible enactment plans sends a wide signal: companies are turning a unsighted oculus to emissions of 1 of the astir potent and solvable drivers of planetary heating.”

Companies successful the appraisal included the largest dairy companies successful Europe and North America by yearly revenue, the 5 largest java chains successful Europe and North America, and each 8 members of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA), an manufacture initiative.

Urbancic added: “Our audit shows that good words from businesses and a fewer voluntary actions are small much than blistery air. Governments indispensable yet drawback the bull by the horns and acceptable science-based methane cuts for the cultivation sector.

“All eyes are connected European governments, fixed its enactment connected the planetary methane pledge and upcoming authorities successful this area.”

An Arla spokesperson said: “Alongside our husbandman owners, Arla is committed to producing much sustainable dairy and has wide science-based targets successful place.”

Danone, General Mills and Nestlé person been contacted for comment.