DAIRY PROCESSORS REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS BY 28%

The UK dairy processing industry has reduced its carbon emissions by an impressive 28%, or nearly 75,000 tonnes a year, since 2000.

Data collected by Dairy Energy Savings (DES), which runs the dairy sector Climate Change Agreement (CCA), also shows that in the last 12 months alone, UK dairy processors have achieved a significant 2% reduction in carbon emissions and a 2% improvement in energy efficiency.

DES Chairman Gerry Sweeney said: "The CCA has been a great success and these results show yet again that the scheme continues to drive improvement in the dairy sector."

Mr Sweeney continued: "Whichever way you look at it, a 28% reduction in annual emissions is an enormous achievement. These latest figures show that the industry continues to take its environmental responsibilities very seriously and is maintaining momentum in pushing for further improvements."

Commenting on the Government's decision to extend the CCA scheme, Mr Sweeney said: "This is good news for the industry and good news for the environment. Whilst some details of the scheme are still under review, I feel confident that we will see a scheme that can provide a catalyst to further improvements, whilst leaving the industry with the flexibility to invest."

Energy improvements in the processing sector echo the wider commitment and achievement of the dairy industry, which continues to work on sustainability initiatives such as the Dairy Roadmap, Dairy 2020, DEFRA's Green Food Project and the International Dairy Federation's Global Dairy Agenda for Action.