FrieslandCampina Launches Landmark 10-Year Carbon Sequestration Project in Dutch Grasslands

Netherlands 07.11.2024

Source: DairyNews.today

FrieslandCampina has initiated a groundbreaking 10-year carbon sequestration project across 780 hectares of permanent grassland, in partnership with 20 of its member dairy farmers. Recently approved by the National Carbon Market Foundation (SNK), the initiative aims to store approximately 1,755 tonnes of CO₂ per year, totaling an estimated 17.5 kilotonnes over the decade. This project is the largest of its kind in the Netherlands, targeting carbon storage in permanent grassland on mineral agricultural soils.

FrieslandCampina Launches Landmark 10-Year Carbon Sequestration Project in Dutch Grasslands

The process of carbon sequestration involves capturing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil, a practice that helps mitigate CO₂ emissions while promoting sustainability in the dairy sector. To support this, SNK has issued validated certificates to FrieslandCampina, marking an essential step toward long-term climate action within the dairy industry.

Participating dairy farmers will receive financial compensation based on the amount of CO₂ sequestered annually, provided that the designated grasslands remain unploughed and untilled for the duration of the project.

"Carbon sequestration offers significant opportunities to make the dairy chain more sustainable, though it poses challenges in implementation," said Sanne Griffioen, Director of Farm Sustainability at FrieslandCampina. "Together with our farmers and SNK, we are building a foundation for lasting impact and sustainability."

This project highlights FrieslandCampina's commitment to voluntary emission reductions, supported by SNK-certified measures verified by independent experts.