Fonterra introduces emissions profiles

AUCKLAND: Fonterra has introduced onfarm greenhouse gas emissions profiles, which it says will help its farmers better understand where their onfarm emissions are coming from and how they can reduce them.

After undertaking a pilot programme involving about 100 farms, the dairy cooperative is now making the individually tailored reports available to the about 9500 farms which supply it milk.

Fonterra director for onfarm excellence Charlotte Rutherford said using data provided by its farmers, it could estimate the amount of biological methane and nitrous oxide emissions occurring on each farm and the amount of emissions per kilogram of milk solids.

She said it also showed farmers the source of the emissions.

Once farmers had the reports, the focus would turn to implementing practical and sensible solutions to help reduce emissions, she said.

‘‘One of the most important steps in improving your emissions profile is understanding where your emissions come from, and that’s what this report does.’’

Ms Rutherford said the coop wanted to position itself for the future, from a regulatory and market perspective.

‘‘As well as being a very practical step toward helping New Zealand meet climate change commitments, the Environmental Report supports our strategy to meet growing global demand for food that’s kind to the planet.’’ — RNZ