Through innovation and continued Kiwi ingenuity, our farmers, scientists, and sector partners can ensure New Zealand dairy continues to stay a world leader, while making meaningful contributions to New Zealand’s GHG mitigation targets. We’ve already started – but there is more to do.
How does the New Zealand dairy sector compare to other countries?
New research commissioned by DairyNZ shows New Zealand has the lowest carbon footprint for milk in the world – and it is less than half the global average.
See NZ dairy sector's carbon footprint.
Why is it important to reduce emissions?
Greenhouse gas emissions are important as this has a direct effect on the temperature of the earth. These gases act as a ‘greenhouse’ to the earth, by trapping and reflecting infrared radiation from the sun. This is known as the 'greenhouse effect'.
New Zealand’s dairy sector is committed to remaining the most efficient producer of low emissions milk in the world. Now we must sustain our success, as our aim is to remain competitive on the world stage as consumers, customers and communities increasingly seek sustainably produced food.
For more information visit AgMatters.
Greenhouse gases in dairy
The main agricultural greenhouse gases (GHG) are methane and nitrous oxide. Methane is produced in the rumen of the cows by methanogen microbes and are naturally present in all ruminant animals.
Most methane is emitted when cattle burp. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is emitted from soil when urine, faeces and fertilisers are broken down by microbes in the soil.
How methane (CH4) is produced
How nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced
Find out more about climate change
DairyNZ helps fund and contributes to the content in AgMatters. This is a one-stop-shop to help farmers and growers understand climate change.
