Charlotte Rutherford: Leading Environmental Sustainability in the Dairy Industry

Biography

Charlotte Rutherford was born on March 13, 1980, in Auckland, New Zealand. From a young age, she was passionate about environmental issues, which led her to study Environmental Science at the University of Otago. She graduated with honors in 2002. Her career in environmental management began at EcoConsult in Wellington, where she honed her skills in the field.

Charlotte's journey in the dairy industry took a significant turn when she joined DairyNZ as the Environmental Sustainability Manager. During her tenure, she effectively integrated environmental stewardship into the dairy sector, paving the way for more sustainable practices.

Current Place of Work

Charlotte currently holds the position of Head of Environmental Strategy at Fonterra Co-operative Group, which she joined in 2016. Her role at Fonterra has been instrumental in promoting the organization as a responsible global dairy exporter.

Important Events

• 2016: Charlotte was appointed the Head of Environmental Strategy at Fonterra, initiating a period characterized by significant environmental initiatives.
• 2018: She led a major environmental sustainability program that successfully reduced carbon emissions by 20% over three years.
• 2021: Awarded the New Zealand Sustainability Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to environmental management within the dairy industry.
• 2022: Charlotte spearheaded a project aimed at reducing water consumption by 15% during production processes, showcasing her commitment to resource efficiency.

Additional Contributions

In her role as Director of Sustainability, Charlotte has played a key part in Fonterra's efforts to achieve emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Her unwavering dedication continues to propel the company's environmental objectives forward. Charlotte Rutherford's efforts are essential to Fonterra's climate ambitions, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals.

Modified: 2025/04/01

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