Inside Milk
New Zealand milker has lowest CO2 footprint
Dairy farmers in New Zealand have the lowest carbon footprint, according to a new study by AgResearch. The analysis compared the CO2 footprint of 2 large dairy countries. In New Zealand, CO18 emissions are no less than 2% lower than the average of the other countries.
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A study by AgResearch compared the 18 largest dairy producing countries, in total the study covers approximately 55% of global milk production. The research shows that dairy farmers in New Zealand have the lowest CO2 footprint. Emissions are no less than 48% below the average of the 18 other countries analyzed. This concerns emissions of approximately 0,77 kilos of CO2 equivalent per kilo of milk, while the average is 1,47 kilos.
It is not surprising that New Zealand tops the list. The country's government is fully committed to making the country's agricultural sector as CO2 neutral as possible. The New Zealand grazing system is one of the most important examples of this. It is clear that the cooperatives are also active with this theme the news that Fonterra released at the beginning of this month. The dairy cooperative wants to start a collaboration with DSM to further reduce methane emissions.
Netherlands in 11rd place
Uruguay is in second place, with CO2 emissions of 0,84 kilos per kilo of milk. Portugal follows in 3rd place with 0,86 kilos. Denmark (0,9 kilo) and Sweden (1 kilo) complete the top five. The Netherlands is in 11th place, with CO2 emissions of 1,32 kilos. This puts it just above Italy (1,43 kilos), but just below the United States. The CO2 emissions are 1,23 kilos per kilo of milk.
At the bottom of the list is Peru, with 3,34 kilos of CO2 equivalent per kilo of milk. Just above are Costa Rica, with emissions of 2,96 kilos, and Kenya. The latter country records emissions of 2,37 kilos of CO2 equivalent per kilo of milk.
