Charlotte Rutherford: Leading Environmental Sustainability in the Dairy Industry

Biography:

Charlotte Rutherford was born on March 13, 1980, in Auckland, New Zealand. Her passion for environmental issues was evident from a young age, which led her to pursue Environmental Science at the University of Otago, where she graduated with honors in 2002. Charlotte began her career in environmental management with EcoConsult in Wellington, where she developed her expertise in the field.

Career in the Dairy Industry:

Charlotte's significant contribution to the dairy industry began when she joined DairyNZ as the Environmental Sustainability Manager. In this role, she successfully integrated environmental stewardship into the dairy sector, laying the foundation for more sustainable practices.

Current Position:

In 2016, Charlotte took on the role of Head of Environmental Strategy at Fonterra Co-operative Group, a leading global dairy exporter. Her work at Fonterra has been instrumental in promoting the organization as a responsible player in the global dairy market.

Important Events:

• 2016: Charlotte was appointed as the Head of Environmental Strategy at Fonterra, marking the start of significant environmental initiatives.
• 2018: Under her leadership, a major environmental sustainability program was conducted, successfully reducing carbon emissions by 20% over three years.
• 2021: She was awarded the New Zealand Sustainability Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to environmental management in the dairy industry.
• 2022: Charlotte spearheaded a project to reduce water consumption by 15% during production processes, highlighting her dedication to resource efficiency.

Additional Contributions:

As Director of Sustainability, Charlotte plays a critical role in achieving Fonterra's emission reduction targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Her dedication continues to drive the company's environmental goals, underscoring the importance of collaboration in these efforts.

Charlotte Rutherford's work is pivotal to Fonterra's climate ambitions, demonstrating the essential role of innovation in sustainability. Her contributions have established her as a leader in environmental strategy within the dairy industry.

Modified: 2025/05/18

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