FrieslandCampina Publishes CSR Update Based on Sustainable Development Goals

15 May 2017 --- The year 2016 saw the launch of the updated FrieslandCampina strategy route2020 guided by nourishing by nature: better nutrition for the world, a good living for our farmers, now and for generations to come. Last year, nourishing by nature was a clear guideline in achieving the sustainability objectives, fitting in well with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. 

For instance, FrieslandCampina used more sustainable energy in the past year, as a result of which the emission of greenhouse gases was even more lowered. To meet the demand of consumers to adopt a healthier lifestyle, again steps were taken to further reduce the sugar and salt contents and the calories in products. Through the Dairy Development Programme a contribution was made to raising the standards of living for dairy farmers in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. 

Roelof Joosten, CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.: We have made good progress with respect to CSR in the year 2016. Taking even more advantage of and providing more insight into the nutritional values of our dairy products are together with increasing the sustainability of the production chain essential for successful valorisation of the milk supplied by the member dairy farmers. We are working hard on this within FrieslandCampina as well as in partnerships such as the Duurzame Zuivelketen [Sustainable Dairy Chain] and with other partners. This is in the interest of the member dairy farmers, consumers and society. In this way we actualise nourishing by nature.'

Sustainable Energy
78 percent of the use of electricity of FrieslandCampina is already coming from sustainable sources. The emission of greenhouse gases in connection with production and transport decreased by 4.0 percent to 925 kt CO2 equivalent in 2016. The main reason for this decrease is the increased use of sustainable energy in the production locations. The emission of greenhouse gases at the farms of the member dairy farmers of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A increased by 5.6 percent. 

Thus, the reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases requires attention in order to achieve the objective of climate-neutral growth. Therefore FrieslandCampina took an initiative in the field of manure mono-fermentation by founding the Jumpstart cooperative in 2016. Manure fermentation contributes to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, such as methane. FrieslandCampina guarantees to buy the green energy from the participating member dairy farmers in order to really make a contribution to a more circular economy.

Further Steps in Reduction of Sugar, Salt and Calories
FrieslandCampina pursues a global set of nutritional criteria for its consumer products, the so-called FrieslandCampina Global Nutritional Standards. All consumer products of FrieslandCampina were assessed by these criteria in the past year. Based on the results, the sugar and salt contents and the calories of even more products will be reduced in the years to come.

Train Local Dairy Farmers in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe
In the framework of the Dairy Development Programme as many as 473 training sessions were organised in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Romania and Nigeria in 2016. Subjects covered during these trainings included animal health, young cattle breeding, housing, milk quality and hygiene, accounting, feed and water management and milking techniques. A total of 18,752 farmers followed these trainings. Apart from this, member dairy farmers and employees shared their knowledge about dairy farming, dairy processing and marketing with over 20 dairy cooperatives in Asia and Africa. Additionally, FrieslandCampina organised study trips to the Netherlands for dairy experts from a.o. China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nigeria. In the framework of the Dairy Development Programme a Young Farmer Academy was founded in order to arouse the interest of young people in the profession of dairy farmer in Indonesia.

Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations drew up Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs): 17 ambitious objectives with respect to subjects such as responsible production and consumption, climate, sustainable societies, health and well-being as well as reducing poverty and famine. These development objectives were undersigned by 193 countries and offer governments and the business world a road-map for a more honest and sustainable future. The FrieslandCampina strategy route2020 and the sustainability policy nourishing by nature are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The Sustainable Developments Goals most relevant for FrieslandCampina are SDG 2 'End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture', SDG 3 'Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages', SDG 7 'Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all', SDG 8 'Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all', SDG 12 'Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns', SDG 17 'Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development'.