FrieslandCampina, Mars partner to accelerate dairy emission reductions

NETHERLANDS – FrieslandCampina and Mars have entered into an agreement to enhance the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dairy production, promoting sustainability in the dairy supply chain.

The initiative will focus on reducing GHG emissions by 33% by next year and aims for up to 50% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. This marks a step toward FrieslandCampina’s broader goal of reaching “net climate-neutral dairy” by 2050.

Sanne Griffioen, FrieslandCampina’s Director of Farm Sustainability, emphasized the importance of such partnerships in balancing nourishment with environmental stewardship.

“Partnerships like these are essential in supporting farmers, unlocking innovations, and accelerating sustainability efforts on the farm,” he stated.

FrieslandCampina has been a critical supplier of dairy ingredients such as milk fat and cream to Mars for over three decades, serving brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Twix.

Under this new agreement, FrieslandCampina will designate a specific group of its member farms to supply Mars exclusively. These farms, which are part of FrieslandCampina’s development group, will be incentivized with additional rewards for reducing emissions.

Mars, which identifies dairy as the second-largest contributor to its carbon footprint within its snacking division, is committed to this initiative as a vital part of its Mars Net Zero ambition.

Amanda Davies, Chief R&D, Procurement, and Sustainability Officer at Mars Snacking, also highlighted the company’s commitment to a more sustainable dairy future.

“Working to reduce dairy’s carbon footprint is non-negotiable for us and critical to meeting our sustainability goals,” Davies explained.

To achieve these ambitious targets, Mars will financially compensate farmers for implementing and testing innovative GHG emission reduction measures. This includes using feed additives designed to cut methane emissions, among other strategies.

FrieslandCampina, with over 14,000 members who are dairy farmers, plans to extend this initiative’s successful practices more widely across its cooperative.

These farmers, who also own FrieslandCampina, have been recognized for their achievements in sustainability through the Foqus Planet Sustainable Development Program.

In 2023, FrieslandCampina’s farmers received more than US$245.2 million in premiums for their sustainability efforts, with US$190.2 million allocated through the incentive system.

The program has already seen significant engagement, with over 600 FrieslandCampina member farms signing up for the development group in the first half of 2024.

FrieslandCampina anticipates that these efforts will benefit their direct partners and encourage more businesses to advance sustainability practices in dairy farming.

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