First Milk and Nestlé Collaborate to Reduce CO₂ Emissions by 1,000 Tonnes Annually

First Milk, a farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has partnered with Nestlé to significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with their milk transportation. The collaboration involves switching from diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for transporting milk from First Milk's farms in Cumbria and Ayrshire to Nestlé's factories in Dalston and Girvan. This change is expected to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 83%, equating to a reduction of approximately 1,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually, or the equivalent of removing over 200 cars from the road each year.

The HVO fuel is sourced exclusively from suppliers accredited by the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS), ensuring full traceability. The shift to HVO supports the climate goals of both companies: Nestlé aims to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, while First Milk plans to ensure all milk transport and processing uses renewable fuels by 2030.

Dr. Fiona Roberts, Impact Director at First Milk, emphasized the cooperative's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its dairy products, stating that the transition to HVO represents a significant step forward in their sustainability journey. Dr. Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability for Nestlé UK & Ireland, noted that this initiative marks an important milestone in their quest for a sustainable dairy supply chain.

First Milk's logistics partners, T. P. Niven and Wm. Armstrong, are integral to the implementation of the HVO fuel switch, illustrating the importance of collaboration across the supply chain in achieving sustainability targets. Both companies view this initiative as a model for how businesses can work together to accelerate progress towards shared environmental goals.

This collaboration between First Milk and Nestlé highlights the growing trend in the food industry towards adopting renewable energy sources and reducing carbon footprints, aligning with broader global efforts to combat climate change.