Source : Fonterra

Have cracked the genome sequence of the microbe which generates methane in rumen of livestock (total investment $35m)

An additional $10m committed to confirm efficacy of nitrification inhibitors

Completed an 18-month study of the carbon footprint / whole life cycle of major dairy products sourced from New Zealand

Results will allow us to target further emissions reductions

Important step towards getting carbon footprint measuring methodology agreed with key international dairy organisations

Key findings:

• Carbon footprint of liquid milk is 940g of CO2 equivalent per litre
• GHG emissions breakdown:
• 85 per cent from the farm
• 10 per cent from processing/manufacturing
• 5 per cent from distribution

The carbon footprint study looked at Fonterra’s major dairy ingredient and consumer products sourced from New Zealand.

The research was part funded by the New Zealand Government and was undertaken by the University of New South Wales, and New Zealand Crown Research Institutes - Scion and AgResearch.

Fonterra is working with other key international dairy organisations, such as the Sustainable Agricultural Initiative and the International Dairy Federation, on the development of a global carbon footprinting standard for dairy.

The agricultural sector and Government of New Zealand have invested $15m since 1992 and will invest a further $25m 2009-2012 in research to reduce GHG emissions from the pastoral sector.