DPAC is dedicated to supporting our members’ efforts to reduce emissions, address plastic packaging, support animal health and create a sustainable and resilient Canadian dairy sector. By working collaboratively, we can achieve our collective vision of a greener, more sustainable food system.
Dairy net zero by 2050
DPAC is firmly committed to supporting the Canadian dairy processing industry in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As we embark on this ambitious journey, we are driven by the collective goal of building a sustainable future for Canada’s dairy industry.
Work is currently underway. DPAC is developing a comprehensive carbon inventory to assess the current state of emissions within Canada’s dairy processing industry. This invaluable data will pave the way for the establishment of Science Based Targets (SBTi) specific to our sector, aligning with global targets and allowing for sectoral collaboration to build on previous commitments made through the Dairy Farmers of Canada Net Zero by 2050 Strategy.
Circular Economy for Plastic Packaging
DPAC understands the importance of addressing the problem of plastic pollution and is working with members to identify the ways in which the dairy processing sector can positively contribute to reducing plastic waste.
Creating a circular economy for plastics packaging requires collaboration and action from all parts of the plastics value chain.
DPAC is a proud implementing partner of the Canada Plastic Pact, an industry-led collaboration aiming to tackle plastic waste and pollution and create a circular economy for plastics. Through this, DPAC has committed to support Canada’s dairy processors in meeting the Pact’s ambitious 2025 plastic-reduction targets.
A Strong Animal Welfare System
A sustainable food system includes both environmental impacts and impacts to health and welfare of animals and humans.
This has long been a pillar of DPAC’s work. DPAC and its members collaborate with governments and Dairy Farmers of Canada to support continuous improvement of efforts for the care and welfare of dairy cattle. This includes work with the National Farm Animal Care Council and Animal Health Canada.
DPAC actions on sustainability
- Member of the National Farm Animal Care Council, a multi-stakeholder approach to developing science-informed Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals.
- Signatory of the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam, a commitment by the global dairy sector to achieve key Sustainable Development Goals.
- Supporter of the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, a private-public partnership to capture and improve upon sustainability metrics for Canada’s agri-food sector.
- Implementing partner of the Canada Plastic Pact, an industry-led collaboration aiming to tackle plastic waste and pollution and create a circular economy for plastics.
- Member of Animal Health Canada, a collaboration of federal, provincial, territorial, and industry/non-government stakeholders to address important topics such as emergency management, animal welfare, and animal health surveillance.
- Partner of the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, a commitment to action on emission reduction and improved sustainability.
- Supporter of Canadian Global Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (CgFARAD) the Canadian member of the global food animal residue avoidance databank program.
- Driving dairy processing policy, sectoral collaboration and action on sustainability with guidance from DPAC’s Environmental Committee and Animal Welfare Committee.
Featured news and resources
October 6, 2022 –
The Dairy Processors Association of Canada (DPAC) is happy to announce its support for the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, a coalition of more than 100 public and private sector partners working together to develop a comprehensive framework for agri-food sustainability in Canada – from farm to retail.
DPAC will contribute to the coalition by providing leadership and sharing insights from Canada’s dairy processors in order to develop agri-food sustainability policies and actions that will drive change to advance sustainability priorities.
For more information on the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, visit the link below:
Canada’s National Index on Agri-Food Performance
About DPAC Membership
DPAC is a forum for industry leaders to connect and contribute to public policy dialogue. With DPAC membership, dairy processors benefit from exclusive information and expertise in all aspects of dairy policy and regulation at the federal level in Canada.
Read more about how a DPAC membership could benefit your organization.
March 30, 2022 –
The Dairy Processors Association of Canada (DPAC) is proud to announce its support for Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, a global initiative to reduce the dairy sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 30 years.
Canada’s dairy processing industry is committed to improving its environmental impact and playing a role in creating a sustainable future for Canada’s agri-food sector. In supporting Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, DPAC aims to support the important efforts of Canada’s dairy processors to address the industry’s GHG emissions, identify ways to reduce the waste created in the supply chain, and improve the energy efficiency of its operations.
To this end, DPAC joins more than 100 organizations that represent 30% of global milk production that have committed to supporting and promoting the principles of the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero Declaration:
- 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 builds on DPAC’s previous sustainability commitments as an implementation partner of the Canada Plastics Pact (2021) and a signatory to the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam (2017), which recognizes the role that dairy plays in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Work is currently underway to identify opportunities for broad industry action that can be led by DPAC toward improved environmental sustainability.
Learn more about the Declaration, Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiatives, and DPAC’s commitments to sustainability.
Statements
“Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is an important opportunity for the global dairy industry to take collaborative action to reduce emissions and contribute to improved environmental sustainability. Canada’s dairy processing industry is focused on continuous improvement and doing its part to secure a sustainable future for Canada’s agri-food sector.”
– Mathieu Frigon, President and CEO, Dairy Processors Association of Canada
About Pathways to Dairy Net Zero
Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, the first climate initiative of its kind in the world, will accelerate dairy’s climate action by reducing the sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 30 years. Its mission is driven by the global dairy sector and supported by leading scientific and research organizations around the world.
The initiative was officially launched in September 2021 during Climate Week and just prior to the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit. To date, more than 100 leading organizations, including Global Dairy Platform, the International Dairy Federation, Dairy Farmers of Canada, and numerous DPAC members have already declared their support. Collectively, these supporters represent approximately 30% of total milk production worldwide.
The Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is developed on six main principles:
- 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.
For additional information on the Declaration and Pathways to Dairy Net Zero.
September 9, 2021 –
Canadians increasingly want their food to be produced in Canada. So much so, that almost all Canadians (82%), support the government doing more to encourage investment in Canada’s farming and food processing sectors. This is an issue that cuts across political affiliation and locations.
This election, DPAC’s policy priorities focus on the areas that will create an environment that encourages investment and innovation in Canada’s dairy industry now and in the future: addressing the impacts of free trade agreements like CETA, CPTPP and CUSMA; restoring fairness in the relationship between Canada’s retailers and their suppliers; and investing in sustainability.
Read DPAC’s full list of policy priorities for the 2021 federal election here: DPAC 2021 Election Priorities.
