Canada’s dairy processors know that Canadians want high-quality products that are not simply good for them, but are sourced and produced in sustainable ways. 

Creating a sustainable future is important for dairy processors, too.

Each of us has a role to play in improving the environmental impact of our sector and creating a sustainable future for Canada’s agri-food sector. That’s why Canada’s dairy processors are taking steps to measure and address our industry’s carbon footprint, identify ways to reduce the waste created in our supply chain, and improve both the energy efficiency and water usage of our operations. This commitment also means improving our impact once products leave our plants. Dairy processors are committed to reducing packaging waste by finding solutions to recyclable, reusable packaging materials.

To demonstrate the industry’s commitments, DPAC is proud to be an implementing partner of the Canada Plastics Pact, a signatory to the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam and Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, and an advocate for government investment in the types of clean technologies needed to create a more sustainable future for Canada’s agri-food sector.

Dairy processing is just one part of a product’s journey from farm to table. That is why DPAC is committed to working collaboratively with Canada’s dairy farmers in order to continuously improve our sector’s environmental impact. 

Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Canada’s dairy sector has committed to promote sustainability throughout the supply chain through its support for the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam

This initiative led by the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recognizes the important role that dairy plays in supporting global nutrition, economic development, and environmental stewardship. Canada’s dairy sector, along with others around the world who have signed the declaration, commit to taking an integrated approach to sustainability guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dairy processors around the world are taking action toward continuously improving the environmental sustainability of their operations. 

To support the efforts of Canada’s dairy processors, DPAC has committed to support and promote the principles of the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero Declaration which aims to reduce the dairy sector’s greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years through:

  • Mitigation: Continuing to improve production and process efficiency to further reduce the GHG emissions intensity of milk and dairy products.
  • Greenhouse gas removals: Enhancing production practices that protect carbon sinks (soil, forests, grass, peatlands) and complement natural ecosystems.
  • Avoidance and adaptation: Improving practices such as feed, manure, fertilizer and energy management.
  • Insets and offsets: Identifying and implementing alternative, credible reduction options.
  • Measurement and monitoring: Measuring GHG emissions to plan mitigation and monitoring progress.
  • Overall support: Promoting the global initiative and emphasizing the dairy sector’s climate ambition.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is an important opportunity for the global dairy industry to support these individual efforts and work together to reduce emissions and contribute to improved environmental sustainability. Its supporters include Dairy Farmers of Canada, many DPAC members and more than 100 organizations that represent 30% of global milk production.

Reducing plastic waste and supporting a circular economy 

Reducing plastic waste is a key component of reducing dairy’s impact on the Canadian environment. The dairy processing industry knows it needs to do its part to support a circular economy. That is why DPAC is a proud implementing partner of the Canada Plastic Pact. DPAC has committed to support Canada’s dairy processors in meeting CPP’s ambitious 2025 plastic-reduction targets, including:

  1. Defining a list of plastic packaging designated as problematic or unnecessary & take measure to eliminate them
  2. Supporting efforts towards 100% of plastic packaging being designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable
  3. Ensuring that at least 50% of plastic packaging is effectively recycled or composted
  4. At least 30% recycled content across all plastic packaging

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