IDF sustainability outlook released

The fifth edition of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Dairy Sustainability Outlook has been released and it contains information about how the dairy sector is delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This edition covers an initiative to foster milk and dairy’s role in a healthy and sustainable diet for children and their families in the United States; a Swedish contribution to sustainable food and energy systems aimed at setting the basis for future farming; the use of manure as a natural fertiliser in India; and the Australian dairy industry’s sustainability commitments, among many others.

“The geographical diversity of these initiatives located in five continents prove that dairy’s commitment to sustainability and to the UN SDGs is a global one and that it has no boundaries or cultural barriers,” said Caroline Emond, IDF Director-General.

“In fact, some of these initiatives are the result of cooperation practices between countries, between the public and the private sectors, and also with contributions from academia and universities.”

One of the main purposes of the Dairy Sustainability Outlook is the demonstration of shared knowledge as well as the exchange of technology and innovations.

“The diversity of initiatives described in this DSO edition is not only geographical and cultural: it also appreciates the variety of issues addressed by them, from environmental sustainability to animal welfare and socioeconomic impact.”

The large number of different topics is demonstrative of the IDF’s approach and understanding of sustainability as a complex topic that has many problems and solutions.

“As part of this determination and commitment, we are already working on a special issue on climate in preparation of the UN COP27 Summit scheduled in November which will also include champions of the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative,” Emond said.

The report is available from the IDF website. The IDF also recently published its sustainability bulletin that guides members of the dairy sector in how best to utilise sustainability practices.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Ann