By Chairman Henk Bles
The Dutch dairy farming industry has built up a reputation as being one of the most sustainable dairy industries around the world, with a carbon footprint of less than 1.200 gr CO2 eq/kgs of milk, this includes the production of methane gas and nitrous oxide. With other words the cows in the Netherlands are highly productive and producing milk with relatively low inputs.
The Kenyan and Dutch ecological footprint
This year the Kenyan Dairy Board published a report about the Kenyan dairy industry roadmap. In this report they mention that the ecological footprint of one liter of milk is 4.200 gr of CO2 eq. That is almost four times higher than in the Netherlands! Considering Kenya being one of the most advanced dairy markets in East Africa you can imaging there is work to do to help this part of the world to become more sustainable in dairy.
Soya or cow milk?
And did you know that that the footprint of one liter of soya milk related to its nutritional value (protein and micronutrients) is two times higher than of one liter of cow milk? It is therefore our duty to support the increase of milk consumption per capita especially in emerging markets and low- and medium-income countries. Access to food security (and safety) must remain affordable and become sustainable. That is our purpose.
Carbon Coop
One of our sustainable initiatives last year was the start of the Carbon Coop, a Dutch cooperation with dairy farmers and arable farmers. The aim is to initiate carbon reduction and sequestration projects to generate and market carbon certificates to companies who like to compensate their emissions. With this new activity Bles Dairies contributes to the Paris climate agreement and is continuously building up expertise and explore new markets. And what we think is most important, we are able to offer this expertise to all our international relations. Next level in dairy.
More responsible milk production worldwide
As Bles Dairies, we contribute to more responsible milk production worldwide, and a more responsive milk production in relation to the demand of the growing population. Critical success factor for both is the essential know-how to achieve this next level in dairy. We are at your service.
