The carbon footprint study provides an accurate baseline measure of U.S. dairy emissions across the supply chain. The study, along with data from other resources, validates that total U.S. dairy greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are approximately 2 percent of total U.S. emissions.

 

The research determined that the average gallon of milk contributes 17.6 kg of CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere. Natural variability in the data range from 15.3 kg per gallon to 20.7 kg per gallon based on a variety of factors, driven primarily by differences in management practices. Download a chart demonstrating the supply chain contributions to the carbon footprint of fluid milk, or a chart that shows the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

Three major findings emerged from the research: 

• Management practices matter: The use of best management practices, rather than the size or location of the farm or processing facility, makes the biggest difference in reducing GHG emissions — and they also deliver economic benefits.
• Opportunities for improvement across the supply chain: Opportunities exist to be more efficient and further reduce GHG emissions along the entire dairy supply chain. For example, on the farm, feed efficiency (how effectively a cow’s diet helps the cow produce milk) and manure management (manure storage), represent the greatest opportunities to further reduce GHG emissions. Businesses across the value chain have opportunities to lower costs and emissions from the use of fossil fuels and electricity. In the retail sector,  refrigerants are a key source of emissions.
• A scientific foundation to measure progress: The study shows the dairy industry is productive with its use of natural resources. It also provides a scientific foundation for all dairy businesses to make independent decisions about management practices that are both economically and environmentally feasible.

 

Download a copy of the fluid milk carbon footprint study executive summary or download the abstract.

 

The following illustration shows the sources of GHG emissions across the entire fluid milk supply chain according to the carbon footprint study conducted by the University of Arkansas. This information is based on data from 2007-2008, and identifies the carbon emissions associated with 1 gallon of milk produced in the U.S. — from production of feed to consumer disposal.

 “The findings from the fluid milk greenhouse gas life cycle assessment are vital in that the research shows our company there is a lot of room for us to help dairy producers improve their management practices and work together to create a sustainable system. There is no one way to get it done. Every farm and dairy business has an opportunity to improve their practices.”
- Dr. Jennifer Walker, Dean Foods

 

How we’ll use the research

The fluid milk carbon footprint study is just the first step toward a comprehensive, science-based effort to measure and improve our overall environmental impact, and additional studies are already under way to help us understand our impact beyond greenhouse gas emissions.

 

The fluid milk carbon footprint study allows us to identify the greatest opportunities for improvement, especially feed efficiency, energy management, fuel efficiency and manure management. In 2008, the industry developed a Roadmap that identified eight GHG reduction projects that will help us reduce our carbon footprint. We are already taking action through the implementation of these projects, and the fluid milk carbon footprint study findings validate that we are on the right track.

 

“The great thing about the fluid milk carbon footprint study is that it allows the industry to go from a vision of what can be done on climate change and sustainability, to drilling down and identifying the changes that we can make on soil sequestration, on dairy operations, and in-process handling and merchandising. This research gives us the roadmap to do that.”
- Bruce Knight, Strategic Conservation Services

 

Individual dairy businesses are already implementing their own sustainability projects and many have set their own goals for related to improving their company’s environmental footprint.