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To understand where greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occur in the fluid milk supply chain, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy commissioned a scan-level carbon footprint analysis based on 36 secondary research sources. Results were reviewed in collaboration with the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas and have been validated by domestic data, 12 studies of foreign dairy industries, and through interviews with experts in government, industry, non-governmental organizations and universities.
Footprint Findings
Scan Level Footprint Sources
A comprehensive study of the GHG emissions from the fluid milk value chain is currently under way. It is unprecedented in scope, with data from nearly 500 dairy farms and 50 dairy processors, as well as from about 250,000 roundtrip truck hauls from 7,664 farms to 140 processing plants throughout the 48 contiguous states.
The LCA is being peer-reviewed by researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa, as well as Sylvatica, an LCA research and consulting firm. These reviewers are current authorities in LCA methodology, bio-based product system life cycles and industrial ecology. They work with the UNEP SETAC Life Cycle Initiative for LCA methodology and the Life Cycle Inventory study. The LCA is following ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006 standards for LCA.
The results of the LCA for fluid milk are expected to be published by the end of 2009. An LCA of GHG emissions for cheese also is currently under way.