‘It’s What We’re Made Of’ shines a spotlight on three key areas of the UK Dairy Roadmap – climate change, biodiversity, and plastics and packaging.
A commitment by the dairy sector
The Roadmap, a cross-industry initiative that brings together participants from the entire dairy supply chain including farmers, dairy manufacturers and industry partners, acts as a commitment to environmental sustainability by the entire dairy sector.
The new campaign will highlight the goals achieved so far and the progress on the longer-term targets set for the dairy industry.
Using a mixture of animation and real footage, a series of videos has been created for social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
“This new campaign will highlight some of the fantastic work which is taking place to further enhance our environmental credentials and reduce any impacts.”
NFU Dairy Board chair Michael Oakes
Dairy farmers working hard
NFU Dairy Board chair Michael Oakes said: “Everyone in the UK dairy sector and across the supply chain knows we have an amazing story to tell. Dairy farmers are already working hard to address the challenge of climate change, and have an ambition to be net zero by 2040, alongside producing sustainable dairy products.
“This new campaign will highlight some of the fantastic work which is taking place to further enhance our environmental credentials and reduce any impacts.”
Sustainability goals
Dairy UK Chief Executive Judith Bryans said: “The campaign addresses eight focus areas in which farms and dairies are set sustainability goals for 2025 and beyond: climate change and energy, water, landfill, plastics and packaging, waste, biodoversity, soil and air quality.
“We have been working hard towards the sustainability goals set, with farmers and processors continuing to innovate and improve practices as we strive to meet our industry goal to net zero. Now, it’s time for us to share a part of this story, and what we’re made of, with consumers.”
Improving energy efficiency
Key environmental successes for the dairy sector:
- 56% of dairy farmers are already taking action to cut emissions, through steps such as improving energy efficiency.
- 43% of farmers produce or use renewable energy.
- Arla Dairy in Aylesbury became the first large liquid dairy in the world to become net zero carbon in 2017.
- Plastic milk containers are one of the UK’s most recycled products.
- 78% of plastic HDPE milk bottles have been recycled since 2008 – the average for plastic bottle recycling is 58%
- 88 dairies (over 50 companies) have signed the Climate Change Agreements (CCA) with the UK Government.
Climate change, plastics and packaging, biodiversity
Check out three of the campaign's short videos.