The Dairy Roadmap Sets New UK Dairy Targets
The new targets were issued by the Dairy Roadmap’s Processor Working Group. They are intended to extend environmental work carried out since the initiative began in 2008 and focus on climate change and energy, water, and plastics and packaging.
The programme reports that processors now use more than 30% less energy and more than 50% less water for each tonne of milk processed. About 65% of UK milk is produced within supply chains aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative, compared with 0.5% in 2008. Packaging per tonne of milk has fallen by more than 60%, while plastic milk bottles contain more than 30% recycled material, up from none in 2008.
More than 90% of processor waste is recovered or recycled, compared with 62% in 2008. The share sent to landfill is below 2%, down from 24%. Food waste has remained low, with an average of 1.3% of inputs lost as waste.
Dr Emma Gregson, secretariat member of the Dairy Roadmap and environment manager at Dairy UK, said that collaboration before competition and continuous improvement had supported the sector’s progress. She said the next phase would involve setting demanding but achievable targets, simplifying data collection and sharing effective practices across the industry.
For packaging, the roadmap calls for all packaging to be recyclable where this is possible and economically viable. Paper and card are to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or an equivalent scheme, and dyed plastic bottle caps on consumer packaging are to be removed by 2030. The sector is also considering recycled-content targets linked to initiatives including the WRAP Food & Drink Pact.
Packaging choices are to follow the waste hierarchy, beginning with prevention and reuse, then recycling, recovery and disposal. Product design is to take packaging’s carbon footprint into account more frequently, while the need for single-use plastics is to be reviewed regularly. The roadmap’s stated climate ambition is to limit global warming to 1.5°C and for the dairy sector to make no contribution to global warming by 2050.
Under the emissions measures, every processor is to estimate and report Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to undertake the Science Based Targets initiative and present the work to their boards by the end of 2026. All processors are to establish targets approved by the initiative for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by the end of 2027. Large organisations are also to set approved Scope 3 targets, including targets covering forest, land and agriculture, by that date.
The water programme aims for no serious pollution incidents, compliance with legislation, sustainable use of water and improved treatment, including reuse where possible. Processors are to measure water use in their own operations and complete water-risk assessments that support local action plans by the end of 2026. They are to produce plans to reduce water risk by the end of 2027. The industry will also pursue lower water consumption and less reliance on mains supplies through efficiency, treatment, reuse and education, and may participate in projects organised at catchment level.
The Processor Working Group has produced a data-collection template to support consistent monitoring. It is preparing guidance on the Science Based Targets initiative and water objectives, while discussions on recycled packaging content continue. The group said it would review progress and consider additional targets in response to changes in industry practice, policy and legislation.
