Over 100 delegates from right across the dairy value chain in 23 different countries met online for the 2022 DSF Members meeting on 3rd November. Chaired by Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council, the theme of the three-hour meeting was Around the Dairy Sustainability World in 180 Minutes and featured specific sustainability actions in 10 geographies, from 12 DSF Members.

The case studies were introduced by three “ambassadors” who provided an ‘elevator pitch’ for each of the activities profiled under one of the three sustainability pillars: Richard Walton of Meiji Co. Ltd (Economic), Kendra Campbell of Dairy Australia (Social) and Zoe Kavanagh of the National Dairy Council Ireland (Environment). Delegates were then able to join breakout sessions of their choice, to probe the case study ’owners’ in more detail on specifics.

In the Economic pillar breakout, the case studies ranged from large farms in Australia and South Africa, to smallholders in Algeria and Kenya, from multi-national dairy organizations to smaller national dairy companies. Actions ranged from farmer training to supplying infrastructure (building milk collection centres with milking stations for pastoralists) and from raising farmers’ income to reducing climate impact. While the breakout participants came from many different countries, it was clear there were many similar challenges. Discussions in this economic breakout often breached into the social and environmental pillars, clearly demonstrating that efforts on economic performance can provide larger impacts beyond the economic pillar where the effort is focused.

In the Environment pillar breakout, attendees enjoyed exploring the wide-ranging examples of impactful actions from around the world, including Australia, the UK, Canada to Chile and France to New Zealand. The breakout discussions focused on Carbon footprinting tools and approaches to resolving on farm waste plastic challenges, and sustainable packaging.

The Social pillar breakout, explored an Australian project which focussed on improving cow health & welfare, moving to Kenya with a focus on improving staff working conditions in the milk factory. And finally in Nigeria where targeted collaborative efforts had resulted in improvements to cow and human health and welfare and farmer livelihoods.

It was clear through all three breakout sessions that activities under the three pillars were never stand- alone, recognizing the interrelationships between the sustainability pillar Criteria.

Members also heard from DSF’s Director Brian Lindsay, who outlined the 2021 progress reporting results (the DSF is now reporting from over 31% of global milk production) and other DSF developments from the 2021 year.

GDP’s Communications Director, Kevin Burkham provided an update on progress with the global Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative which now represents approximately 40% of global milk production. Finally, DSF Chairman Donald Moore, provided a review of the first 10 years of the DSF and highlighted the DSF Governors’ thinking for the DSF over the next decade, widening its reach, strengthening its capacity and improving its recognition with all stakeholders.

DSF Implementing and Aggregating Members who missed the meeting can view the recordings of the meeting on the DSF Extranet in English, Spanish and Japanese. The three breakout session recordings are also available in English.

The DSF Annual Reporting results for the 2021 calendar year were  published today at the DSF Annual Members Meeting. In his presentation to more than 100 delegates from 23 different countries right across the dairy value chain,  DSF Director Brian Lindsay explained that the DSF now accounts for 31% of global (cow & buffalo) milk production, equivalent to 52% of the global formal milk market.  The Reporting results quantify the dairy sector’s progress via 11 sustainability criteria and associated metrics.  The results are available (in English) to download from the DSF website homepage with translations into Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish.

New guidelines are available for the calculation of carbon sequestration in cattle production systems. Until now there has been no consensus on an appropriate LCA-based approach for application in cattle production systems to quantify carbon removals from the atmosphere.

Project partners included: Arla Foods, Mars, Fonterra, Innovation Center for US Dairy, McDonalds, Danone, FrieslandCampina, Nestle and Rabobank.

The Project partners, who have been working on this development since 2018, have ‘donated’ the finished ‘product’ to the International Dairy Federation to complement their suite of climate related resources for the global dairy sector.

DSF Implementing and Aggregating Members, have the opportunity to find out more about C-Sequ, at a DSF webinar on 13 October where Anna Flysjö of Arla Foods, project partner and DSF Member will provide more detail on the guideline development and the opportunity it will give the dairy sector as it works towards net zero ambitions.  A recording of the webinar will be available in the DSF Members area.

Download a copy of the guidelines here.

The global dairy sector’s coming together under the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative was involved in a UNFCCC Side Event at COP26 in Glasgow on 4 November. The dairy sector is committed to reducing GHG emissions while continuing to deliver high-quality nutrition and support the livelihoods of 1 billion people. The event introduced delegates to the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative, providing a platform to dairy stakeholders to support the sector’s ambition.  Alongside this a number of speakers addressed the meeting from around the world – USA, Uruguay, Costa Rica, FAO & WFO – and then took questions.
To watch the side event please click here

Dairy farmers have an opportunity to sell carbon credits. But should they?

The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.”   Global Dairy Platform (GDP) and Quantis have worked in partnership to produce a briefing paper which provides background information and practical next steps to determine whether to sell carbon credits without risking the dairy sector’s social license to operate.

The lack of clarity is largely because there are a variety of ways carbon credits can be generated, traded and used. The dairy sector has the opportunity to create, trade and use credits and therefore alignment is needed across the dairy supply chain to generate value for farmers, dairy processors, the global dairy sector, and the planet.

Read the briefing paper here

The first life-cycle assessment (LCA)-based methodology for calculating carbon sequestration in cattle production systems is now available for pilot testing. The methodology, C-Sequ, was developed by a consortium of dairy and beef organizations, global soil scientists and LCA specialists.

“Our farmers take all kinds of actions to reduce their climate impact. Carbon sequestration is a crucial solution for that. The C-Sequ guidelines are a key tool to help measure the farmer’s efforts effectively and scientifically. It helps them to know how well they do or if there is room for improvement. Next to that, it can be a base to reward those efforts.’’ Margrethe Jonkman – Global Director Research & Development, Royal FrieslandCampina.

Carbon capture and sequestration are potential mitigation solutions to the global climate challenge, but current methods to quantify the sequestered carbon are complex. The C-Sequ guidelines include a straightforward, step-by-step guide for the quantification process as well as useful examples.

Although testing of the C-Sequ methodology is already underway in more than 100 different cattle production systems around the world, additional dairy and beef pilots are encouraged in order to maximize learning. Results from these trials, including potential improvements, will be incorporated into an updated methodology to be released next year. To download the C-Sequ guidelines, please click here . A feedback form can be found here.

Collaborators on the C-Sequ project include Royal FrieslandCampina, Nestle, Arla Foods, Danone, Fonterra Co-operative Group, McDonald’s, Mars, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and Global Dairy Platform. Quantis served as the Scientific Lead for the project.

The C-Sequ project has developed a set of guidelines for the calculation of Carbon Sequestration using an LCA approach.

These guidelines are now available for public consultation until 9 December 2020 and the project partners are now seeking the input of a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the methodology is as robust as possible.  Please do share details of the consultation with colleagues.

Recognizing the complexity of the topic, as part of the consultation process, the C-Sequ Partners have arranged for two webinars to be conducted where the Technical Leads will explain the approach taken. You need to register for these webinars.

Details can be found here – C Sequ Announcement

DSF Annual Members Meeting
The Role of the DSF in a Changing Sustainable Food System
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020

If not done already – DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER – Details below.

Two high-level keynote speakers have now confirmed their involvement in this virtual and interactive meeting!

Please use this link to register here for the meeting, as registration is essential for attendance.

Please contact the DSF Secretariat if you have any questions.  We hope to see you there!

A range of topics will be covered across eight 1 hour webinars for DSF Members between May and August 2020.   Soils, biodiversity, water,  animal care & working conditions are just some of the topics, alongside a progress update on the DSF Reporting model and the US experience of criteria, materiality & priorities.  We are delighted to have a number of our DSF Members presenting at these events followed by Q & A sessions.  For more details please see the DSF Extranet or contact admin@dairysustainabilityframework.org for more information.

Twenty years ago, World Milk Day was established by FAO to recognize the importance of milk as a global food and to celebrate the dairy sector.  Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy have been actively promoted around the world.  To help create a positive stream of conversation in advance, the 2020 celebrations will start with the Enjoy Dairy Rally May 29 – May 31, culminating with World Milk Day on Monday, June 1.

Global Dairy Platform has developed an WMD Activation Guide that provides everything you need to participate, including:

• An overview of the #EnjoyDairyRally and how to participate beginning May 29, along with downloadable assets and sample social media copy for each day of the initiative.
• Directions on how to participate in the 20th Anniversary of #WorldMilkDay, along with downloadable assets and sample copy for various social media platforms.

We look forward to seeing all the wonderful activity you put in place for May 29 – June 1st.