Six food giants – including Nestlé, Kraft Heinz and Danone – have pledged to report methane emissions annually at Cop28.
As part of the Environmental Defense Fund’s Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA), the food companies have also committed to disclose methane emissions in their dairy supply chains and to create and implement a methane action plan.
The alliance – which also includes Bel Group, General Mills and Lactalis USA – comes as agriculture is responsible for nearly 40% of human-caused methane emissions, the majority of which comes from livestock.
The gas also has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the first twenty years after it enters the atmosphere.
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Kraft Heinz international director of ESG David Shaw said the company has a “responsibility” to reduce emissions in important areas of its business, “specifically those that have the biggest heating impact like methane”.
“Some of our most beloved brands are cheese brands, emphasising that responsibility, as we aim for net zero emissions by 2050.
“We anticipate the progress that we’ll be able to make alongside Environmental Defense Fund and other leading companies to mitigate the climate impacts while preserving the legacy of our brands for generations to come,” Shaw added.
Nestlé global head of ESG operations and deployment Antonia Wanner said: “Nestlé’s net zero roadmap tackles all types of greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are working with farmers and our suppliers to find practical and affordable ways to take action now.
“By joining DMAA, we hope to encourage broader industry cooperation on this important agenda, sharing our insights and learning from others as we make progress towards our goals,” Wanner added.
