In January 2009, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced a goal of 25 percent reduction in GHG emissions throughout the fluid milk value chain, from farm to retail, by 2020.
No pie-in-the-sky rhetoric, the goal was supported by the development and publication of the U.S. Dairy Roadmap to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Increase Business Value. This document defined a specific action plan for how the industry would reach its ambitious goal.
The Roadmap culminated nearly a year’s work by a volunteer army of dairy industry stakeholders. After reviewing a comprehensive greenhouse gas briefing paper, which outlined the risks and opportunities for dairy, dairy industry teams worked together to develop more than two dozen projects across the dairy value chain, each with the potential for both value creation and carbon reduction.
A mix was sought of quick wins (ready to implement), innovation projects (requiring new technology), and game changers (requiring systemic changes).
The Roadmap prioritizes that work with a portfolio of 10 projects across the fluid milk value chain — from production of feed for dairy cows to the processing, packaging and distribution of milk. Each project has undergone a rigorous planning and review process to ensure its assumptions are sound, its potential is fully assessed, and the best resources of the industry are being leveraged.
These projects put us straight on the path to progress. When fully implemented, the projects are estimated to achieve a 12 percent reduction in emissions — nearly halfway to our goal of reducing GHG emissions by 25 percent by the year 2020. They will deliver $238 million of business value to the industry and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.2 million metric tons — equal to eliminating more than 500,000 cars from the road.
Learn More About the Sustainability Summit
The Innovation Center uses an approach called Appreciative Inquiry to promote innovation and develop viable action plans. The first Sustainability Summit, held in June 2008, resulted in a portfolio of projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12% and create business value of nearly $250 million. Take a look at the video below to learn more about the process from participants at the Summit. (Please be patient while the video loads.)