Danone, the food conglomerate behind yogurt and milk brands Activia, Dannon, Oikos and Horizon Organic, aims to cut Earth-warming methane emissions from its fresh-milk supply chain by some 30% over the next seven years. The scope of the reduction and the reach of this international food concern is significant, climate-change analysts said. France-based Danone
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is the first company to set targets in line with a pledge by 150 countries to reduce emissions of methane, the shorter-lasting but potent greenhouse gas spewed when capturing and burning natural gas
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as landfill contents break down, and from cows’ flatulence and burps.
Danone said Tuesday it will take steps that include better management of dairy herds, manure and feed additives to help it meet the target. Danone works directly with 58,000 dairy farmers across 20 countries and has already supported projects for dairy farms in 14 countries through its regenerative agriculture program, it said. “Dairy products are an affordable source of nutrition for many people, at the core of our mission to bring health through food. As one of the largest dairy companies, we take the challenge of both producing more [to feed a growing population] and greatly reducing emissions and impact on climate,” said Antoine de Saint-Affrique, Danone’s CEO. Danone also has the endorsement of the Environmental Defense Fund, which partnered on the initiative. “Cutting methane emissions is one of the fastest and most effective ways to slow climate change,” said Fred Krupp, head of EDF, a nonprofit that operates in 30 countries and says it will make sure Danone and other ag interests accurately report their emissions progress. “The dairy sector can play an important role in driving these reductions while boosting farmer livelihoods and increasing food security and nutrition,” Krup …