Dairy Sector Accounts for 4% of Greenhouse Gas Emissions – FAO Report

Considering just global milk production, processing and transportation and excluding meat production, the sector contributes 2.7 percent of global anthropogenic GHG emissions.

22 Apr 2010 --- The dairy sector accounts for around four percent of all global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) according to a new FAO report. This figure includes both emissions associated with the production, processing and transportation of milk products as well as emissions related to meat produced from animals originating from the dairy system.

Considering just global milk production, processing and transportation and excluding meat production, the sector contributes 2.7 percent of global anthropogenic GHG emissions.

In 2007, the dairy sector emitted 1 969 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, of which 1 328 million tonnes are attributed to milk, 151 million tonnes to meat from culled dairy animals, and 490 million tonnes from calves from the dairy sector that were raised for meat. The CO2 equivalent emission is a standard measurement for comparing emissions of different GHGs.

The global average of GHG emissions per kilogram of milk and related milk products is estimated at 2.4 kg CO2 equivalent.

Methane contributes most to the global warming impact of milk, accounting for about 52 percent of the GHG emissions in both developing and developed countries. Nitrous oxide emissions account for 27 percent of GHG emissions in developed countries and 38 percent in developing countries. Carbon dioxide accounts for a higher share of emissions in developed countries (21 percent) than in developing countries (10 percent).

The FAO report, Greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector, covers all major milk production systems from nomadic herds to intensified dairy operations. It focuses on the entire dairy food chain, including the production and transport of inputs (fertilizer, pesticide and feed) used for dairy farming, on-farm emissions and emissions associated with milk processing and packaging as well as the transportation of milk products to retailers. The margin of error of the estimates is ±26 percent.

"This report is fundamental to understand and identify opportunities for reducing the environmental impact of the dairy sector while providing safe and nutritious foodstuffs," said Samuel Jutzi, Director of FAO's Animal Production and Health Division.

The assessment is part of an ongoing programme to analyse and recommend options for climate change mitigation. The next step is to use a similar approach to quantify GHG emissions associated with other major livestock species, including buffalo, poultry, small ruminants and pigs. The effectiveness, welfare and trade implications of policy options will then be carried out through economic modelling. A final report will be published in 2011.

In its landmark 2006 report, Livestock's Long Shadow, the FAO found that 18 percent of all greenhouse emissions were caused by the livestock sector, using an aggregate life cycle approach. The final report on livestock GHG emissions will use the same approach but with updated  data and providing a breakdown into different production systems, as well as indicating solutions for policy-makers, producers and processors. 

The International Dairy Federation (IDF) welcomed the new FAO report on as a significant step to quantify the GHG emissions from the dairy sector and provide an informed basis to target emissions mitigation within the supply chain.

“For the first time, FAO reveals that the environmental impact of the dairy sector accounts for 2,7%. This figure includes emissions related to milk production, processing and transport. This study is a fundamental part of the process of understanding and continually minimizing the environmental impacts of the dairy sector as we have committed to do in the Global Dairy Agenda for Action signed by IDF and other partner organizations.” explained Richard Doyle, IDF President. The FAO findings also indicate significant variations among the different regions and climate patterns of the world.

In the recent years, IDF has been particularly active in placing environmental considerations at the top of its priorities. Further to a strategic plan on environment in 2008, IDF identified the need to undertake a report of this nature and has encouraged FAO to do so. “The global dairy sector and its partners are implementing a global Agenda for Action in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain. Our sector is responsibly focused on providing consumers with the nutritious dairy products they want, in a way that is economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible.” stressed Richard Doyle.

The IDF said that the dairy sector has already implemented a significant number of initiatives to mitigate GHG emissions. A Green Paper captures specific actions implemented in a number of key areas to address the environmental impact on climate change. It is an online catalogue of initiatives and improvements already made and those in progress as compelling evidence of the dairy sector’s commitment. With more than 270 case studies, the IDF Dairy Sustainability Website is a transparent portal that shares best practices and actions taken by the global dairy sector to improve the overall performance of the dairy sector.

This interim FAO assessment provides us with a robust benchmark for our future targeted actions. It will help to identify the key areas of impact and work out practical and cost-effective adaptation options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector. “We will use this study as a significant contribution to existing knowledge and a strong incentive to achieve the objectives set out. We look forward to the wider study carried out by FAO and aiming at identifying low carbon development pathways for the livestock dairy sector. It is instrumental for IDF to continue to work with FAO and with the stakeholders of the dairy chain to move concerted global action programs forward. “ added Christian Robert, IDF Director General.

Another important milestone will be the ongoing IDF work on Life Cycle Analysis / Life Cycle Management and Carbon Footprint in the Dairy Sector. The objective is to develop a common LCA standard methodology for carbon footprint as a consensus paper of the world dairy sector. This work is expected to be released in the coming months.