UK Dairy Roadmap Reaffirms Environmental Goals for the Dairy Sector

Established in 2008, the Dairy Roadmap brings together key stakeholders fr om across the industry, including Dairy UK, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), and the National Farmers' Union (NFU), to develop and execute strategies aimed at improving the sector’s environmental credentials.

With more than a decade of progress, the roadmap seeks to position the UK dairy supply chain as a global leader in environmental sustainability. Through collaboration, the roadmap steering group helps the dairy industry address climate change and bolster its environmental impact.

A newly launched Dairy Roadmap website now highlights the sector’s ongoing commitments, offering a clear outline of the environmental targets set for the industry. In addition, the site provides resources for best practices among farmers and processors and tracks progress made towards these sustainability goals.

Ambitious Targets
The Dairy Roadmap sets ambitious, science-based targets aimed at tackling various environmental challenges. These targets focus on critical areas, such as:

Water Quality: Optimising water resources and safeguarding water quality across dairy operations.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Reducing emissions to align with climate change mitigation goals.
Waste Reduction: Minimising waste throughout the dairy production process.
Soil Management: Enhancing soil health through active management practices.
Biodiversity: Improving biodiversity on dairy farms.
Air Quality: Optimising air quality by reducing harmful emissions.

Data-Driven Approach
Dairy Roadmap working groups collect and analyse on-farm data to monitor progress and adjust goals accordingly. The roadmap’s data-driven approach has allowed the UK dairy industry to share its successes with policymakers and the public, such as the fact that the average carbon footprint of British milk is less than half the global average.

Paul Tompkins, Chair of the NFU Dairy Board, stated: “The Dairy Roadmap tells an amazing story of how dairy farmers are leading the charge in tackling climate change and enhancing environmental sustainability. Designed by farmers for farmers, this roadmap helps us manage soils better, boost biodiversity, and improve water quality, all while reducing our carbon footprint."

Achievements So Far
The UK Dairy Roadmap has already made substantial progress in the following areas:

Environmental Stewardship: 65% of dairy-managed farmland is now part of environmental stewardship schemes.
Renewable Energy: 40% of the energy used on dairy farms comes from renewable sources.
Carbon Footprint: Over 80% of dairy farmers have calculated their carbon footprint and are actively working to reduce emissions.
Productivity Improvements: The average age of first calving has been reduced by more than 30 days since 2018, contributing to greater efficiency.

Future Initiatives and Investments
The roadmap's success is underpinned by the proactive engagement of dairy producers. Many are already involved in initiatives to improve productivity, use nutrients more efficiently, and integrate renewable energy systems on their farms. According to a recent NFU confidence survey, engagement with Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) is an important consideration for producers planning future investments, further demonstrating the industry’s commitment to sustainability.

Addressing Global Challenges
The Dairy Roadmap has also broadened its scope to address global sustainability challenges. At COP26 in 2021, the UK dairy sector launched its climate ambition, which includes supporting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lim it global warming. These initiatives set minimum standards for improvement and ensure that the UK dairy sector remains committed to contributing to global climate goals.

With a clear focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, the UK Dairy Roadmap continues to set a strong example for the global dairy industry, driving positive environmental change while securing the future of UK dairy products.