Food giant Mars, Incorporated has teamed up with dairy firm Fonterra to launch a sustainability initiative aimed at reducing on-farm emissions.
The Farmer Forward Program is backed by a $27 million investment, and will seek to empower dairy farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture practices over a five-year period.
Approximately half the investment will be allocated to providing funding for tools and technology to approximately 2,000 dairy farmers, while the remainder will be presented in the form of financial incentives to around 165 farmers each year who make the most progress on their sustainability targets, with an average payout of $15,000 per farmer per year.
‘On the front line’
“Dairy farmers are on the front line of advancing climate-smart agriculture, which is why we’re putting them first through the launch of our Farmer Forward Program,” commented Amanda Davies, chief R&D, procurement and sustainability officer, Mars Snacking.
“Through this initiative, we’re investing roughly $27 million in Fonterra farming families over the next five years to deliver critical financial support and significant emissions reductions. It’s a true win-win, because we know making dairy more sustainable takes real effort and real investment.”
According to Mars, the initiative will enable the firm to reduce its scope 3 dairy-related emissions by more than 150,000 metric tonnes by 2030, against a 2015 baseline. It also aligns with its broader target of cutting emissions by 50% by the end of the decade, and achieving net zero by 2050.
Moo’ving Dairy Forward
The Farmer Forward Program forms part of Mars’ Moo’ving Dairy Forward initiative, through which the business is investing in new technologies and partnerships to reduce emissions throughout the company’s dairy supply chain.
“Fonterra and Mars have been working together for decades, with sustainability really taking a front seat in recent years,” added Charlotte Rutherford, director of sustainability, Fonterra. “Fonterra has clear ambitions when it comes to climate and it’s through partnerships like this with Mars, that we can support our farmer owners with achieving our targets.
“We are grateful for Mars and its shared commitment to protecting the environment. It’s a true testament to the power of partnership and innovation.” Read more here.
