A new analysis by the Changing Markets Foundation has found that some of the world’s biggest makers and users of dairy products are failing to address their methane emissions.
20 major dairy producers and coffee house chains were scored on their methane reduction goals, action plans, accounting, and reporting. Of these, 17 acknowledged that methane or livestock is a climate problem; the exceptions were Dunkin’, Starbucks, and the UK dairy company Froneri.
However, only two firms — Nestlé and Danone — claim to have reduced their methane emissions. Most do not have clear methane-related targets, action plans, or even transparency on emissions. Furthermore, none have pledged to reduce their dairy product sales.
18 out of the 20 companies scored less than half the available points, while only six (Arla, Danone, DMK, General Mills, Bel, and Saputo) were found to track their methane emissions directly. Of these, just four disclose the results.
Methane inaction
Coffee chains were among the worst offenders, making up the bottom nine companies for methane inaction. Dunkin’ scored zero points for its complete lack of targets, plans, and disclosures, and dairy was found to be the largest single source of carbon emissions across Starbucks US’s operations and supply chain.
Danone was the highest scoring company, but still only received 59 out of 100 points. It is the only firm with a methane-specific target and a plan to achieve it. Meanwhile, Nestlé is the only company to explicitly support reduced public consumption of dairy, but has still not pledged to decrease its own dairy sales.
The news comes after the industry launched a Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA) at COP28 in Dubai. Changing Markets finds that DMAA is only making a marginal difference; members scored a little higher than non-members across all the main areas of the survey, but only three of the eight member companies have published targets to cut methane or wider dairy emissions.
The analysis also finds that powerful meat and dairy interests have successfully blocked or weakened efforts to regulate agricultural methane in both the US and the EU. It notes that technical fixes, such as feed additives and biogas, are usually prioritized over binding regulations or systemic change; furthermore, big meat and dairy firms are investing more in public relations than in actual climate solutions.
“A rare lever to control methane emissions”
Methane is a major driver of rapid climate heating, since it is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide but shorter-lived. Livestock is said to be one of the most significant sources of methane, and reducing these emissions could be vital to keeping global heating below 1.5°C.
According to the analysis, companies must cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030. Coffee houses are advised to ensure plant-based milks are the same price as dairy, while consumers are urged to reduce their consumption of animal products and push companies to improve.
A previous analysis conducted by the Changing Markets Foundation earlier this year found that major supermarkets worldwide are also failing to cut down on methane emissions from meat and dairy.
“Dairy production is a rare lever to control methane emissions, but one that firms clearly don’t want to touch,” said Changing Markets CEO Nusa Urbancic. “The near-total absence of methane-specific targets and credible action plans sends a clear signal: companies are turning a blind eye to emissions of one of the most potent and solvable drivers of global heating.”
