Fonterra to measure its carbon footprint

Fonterra has commissioned the University of NSW, Scion and AgResearch to measure the dairy giant’s carbon footprint across its major products.

The research, which will begin immediately, aims to measure Fonterra’s carbon emissions across its complete supply chain and identify areas that require targeted programs for reduction.

Barry Harris, chair of Fonterra’s Sustainability Leadership Team, said using internationally accepted methodologies will allow comparisons within the global market and provide a base line from which to measure and improve Fonterra’s carbon footprint.

“There is growing consumer and customer interest globally in seeing the carbon footprint of food products. This research will give us some hard data to put around the gains that we are making through the environmental initiatives we have in place.

“The government’s recently announced climate change policy will require the disclosure of carbon emissions and further increases the importance of this project,” said Harris.

The work will cover the three distinct parts of Fonterra’s ‘cow to customer’ supply chain, including production, processing and distribution.