First Milk announces ambitious net zero 2040 pledge

Written by William Kellett

First Milk has announced a range of developments to its First4Milk sustainability plan, which sees some bold changes as part of its ambition to be a leader in dairy sustainability.

The key changes announced include:

• A commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 at the latest, with a target to reduce carbon footprint at farm level by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero in milk transport and processing by 2035;
• A target to sequester 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum on members’ farms by 2025;
• A target to increase milk from forage by 10% by 2025 to reduce members’ reliance on imported feeds;
• The aim for all transport and processing activity to be using renewable fuel sources by 2030;
• The intention to reduce antibiotic use by a further 10% by 2025.

These stretching commitments will be achieved by continuing to drive carbon efficiency throughout its logistics and manufacturing operations, as well as a major focus on working with its members on the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices to enhance and quantify soil carbon sequestration.

Commenting on the development Shelagh Hancock, chief executive, said:

“In 2019 we launched our First4Milk programme, which set out a range of commitments to ensure we protect and enhance the global environment we all share.

“When it comes to climate change, our existing targets around carbon emissions were already stretching.

But we know we need to go further, faster. Dairy farming and food manufacturing are seen as carbon-intensive activities and we know that this is coming under increasing scrutiny across the food chain, with particular focus on upstream ‘Scope 3’ emissions.

“These commitments set out the shape of our journey towards net zero, with the ambition of becoming a zero-carbon business as soon as we can or at the latest by 2040.

“By leading in this area, we will directly benefit our customers, supporting them in de-carbonising their agri-food supply chains.”

‘Long-term security and prosperity’


Mark Brooking, sustainability director, added:

“As a co-operative business we exist to deliver long-term security and prosperity for our dairy farmer owners.

We truly believe that the only way this can be delivered is if we work together to address the sustainability challenges we face.

“Our creamery operations teams are already focused on how they can decarbonise our processing activity, and we are making good progress in this area, but will now accelerate these plans as we focus on achieving net zero as quickly as we can,” he concluded.

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