Demonstrating growing momentum to tackle methane emissions from the food and agriculture sector, two additional companies are joining the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, the global initiative convened by Environmental Defense Fund to drive down methane emissions from dairy.
The two newest members of the Alliance are Starbucks – which has 12 locations each in Westchester and Fairfield counties, and Clover Sonoma, a regional dairy brand in California. Launched in December at COP28, these new members bring the alliance to a total of eight global food and dairy companies, representing more than $230 billion in annual global sales. (The founding members of the alliance are the Bel Group, Danone, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Lactalis USA and Nestlé.)
By joining this groundbreaking initiative, these companies commit to the year-end goal of disclosing methane emissions within their dairy supply chains annually and publicly and pledging to create and publish a methane action plan. Starbucks’ action plan will specifically apply to methane in regions where Starbucks directly purchases milk for its stores.
As a greenhouse gas, methane has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after it enters the atmosphere. Agriculture is responsible for nearly 40% of human-caused methane emissions, the majority of which comes from livestock. Critically, the agricultural industry also keeps the world fed and supports livelihoods and rural economies and is already on the frontlines of climate effects that make it harder to produce food. Food and dairy companies have an important opportunity to pursue ambitious climate action for a triple win, an alliance spokeswoman said, benefiting farmers’ livelihoods, global food security and the climate.
“We’re pleased to welcome Clover Sonoma and Starbucks to the Dairy Methane Action Alliance,” said Katie Anderson, senior director, Business Food & Forests, Environmental Defense Fund. “With these additions, the Alliance now comprises an even wider array of dairy sector players – from regional producers to processors to restaurants – and demonstrates that the sector is gaining momentum on methane action. Dairy is responsible for nearly 10% of global human-caused methane emissions, which uniquely positions companies that source dairy and the farmers in their supply chains to make a profound impact toward global climate targets. Collective action on methane today will avoid the worst impacts of climate change – and we’ll see the difference in our lifetimes. All players in the global dairy supply chain have a leading role to play in tackline methane, and we call on others to join us.”
“As a company, we’re committed to supporting farmers as we work together to reduce emissions across our dairy supply chain,” said Angela Anderson, director of Starbucks Sustainable Dairy. “We’re excited to join the Dairy Methane Action Alliance and collaborate across industries on solutions to advance our resource-positive goals.”
The Environmental Defense Fund is also offering companies technical support and best practices for accounting and disclosure and access to cutting-edge research and emerging solutions.
For more, visit business.edf.org/dairy-methane-action-alliance.
