As the UK set out its goals for a net zero future ahead of its presidency of COP26 in Glasgow this November, dairy industry organisation Dairy UK highlights how its sector can help contribute to reduced emissions.
The COP26 climate summit set to take place in the UK this November aims to further the pledges of COP21, also known as the 2015 Paris summit. At that gathering six years ago, every country agreed to aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees and significantly reduce their carbon emissions. However, ahead of COP26, it has become apparent that the commitments set out in Paris have not been sufficient to hit reduction targets by 2030.
Ahead of COP26, the UK has declared that one of the aims of the summit will be to initiate a drive toward securing net zero by the middle of the 21st Century and ensure that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees remains achievable. Countries have also been called upon ahead of the meeting to present ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets that align with reaching net zero by the mid-century.
The UK agriculture sector’s contributions to carbon emissions are well-documented. Dairy farming is the biggest agricultural sector in the UK, with over 12,000 dairy farmers looking after 1.9 million cattle, employing 50,000 people in direct and supporting industries.
Thanks to efficiency gains, the UK dairy industry has cut down on methane emissions from UK cows by 15 per cent since 1990, but sector bodies insist that more can still be done to help the drive toward a net zero future.
Dairy UK, a processor-led organisation that represents farmer-owned co-ops and private dairy companies, has reiterated ambitious targets for the industry to reduce its environmental impact in the run-up to COP26.
Speaking to The Parliamentary Review, Dairy UK chief executive Dr Judith Bryans highlighted that the sector is working hard toward its environmental goals, explaining that the industry publicly reports its targets and progress through the sector’s sustainability plan: The Dairy Roadmap.
By 2025, this roadmap commits the UK dairy industry to aiming for a 30 per cent relative reduction in carbon related activity to energy use at processing sites, ensuring that 90 per cent of dairy farmers are implementing technologies and practices to reduce emissions, and making sure that 85 per cent of farmers are optimising their feed plans - which are directly linked to reduced carbon emissions.
Dr Judith said: “The changes we make now will have a ripple effect on generations to come, so we need to make sure we make the right decisions. The dairy sector is working hard to reduce its environmental footprint, and for over 12 years we have publicly reported on our targets, commitments and progress through The Dairy Roadmap – the industry’s sustainability strategy, which is used as a blueprint for initiatives across the world.
“As a sector we are also currently embarking on a process to assess and publish the contribution we can make to the UK’s net-zero commitment, engaging the dairy supply chain in the run-up to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties.”
Dr Judith declared that the dairy industry is facing up to its environmental impact and is optimistic that new innovative solutions and technologies will enable the industry to survive and thrive in a greener world and help make the goals of COP26 achievable.
“We take full responsibility for environmental impacts as a sector, and we continue to work hard to continuously improve. Using innovative solutions and new technologies we are achieving advanced efficiencies. Dairying and dairy products can and should be part of a sustainable future.”
