The environmental impact
of dairy production
Understanding the challenges and finding sustainable solutions
To effectively address the climate change crisis, it’s essential to examine every industry’s environmental impact in a neutral, rational manner.
Among these, the food industry—and particularly the dairy sector—plays a significant role. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to acknowledge the positive contributions of cattle farming to our culture, shaping our countryside and terroirs.
By recognizing these aspects, we underscore the importance of this industry while highlighting the need for sustainable, complementary solutions that respect both our heritage and our planet.
This balanced approach allows us to identify opportunities for sustainable solutions that harmonize tradition with environmental responsibility.
The food industry's environmental footprint
The food industry is a major contributor to global environmental degradation.
It is responsible for approximately 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock accounting for around 14.5% of these emissions (FAO).
The industry also significantly impacts land use, water consumption, and biodiversity loss.
Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG)
The food industry generates substantial carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions, contributing to global warming.
Livestock, including dairy cattle, produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas—through enteric fermentation and manure management.
For example, beef and dairy production are responsible for 41% and 20% of livestock-related emissions, respectively. (FAO)
Arable Land use
Agriculture occupies about 50% of the world’s habitable land.
Large-scale livestock farming requires extensive land for grazing and growing feed crops, leading to deforestation and habitat destruction.
For instance, livestock uses about 80% of global agricultural land but produces less than 20% of the world’s supply of calories. (Our World in Data, FAO)
Fresh Water consumption
The food industry is a significant consumer of freshwater resources.
Livestock farming, particularly dairy production, is water-intensive, requiring vast amounts of water for animal hydration, feed crop irrigation, and milk processing.
Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, with livestock production being a substantial part of this consumption. (FAO)
The dairy industry's specific impact
The dairy industry is a significant contributor to the environmental footprint of the food sector.
Its impact is multifaceted, affecting climate, land, and water resources.
Greenhouse Gas emissions
Dairy production contributes to high levels of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. (EPA)
Methane is produced during enteric fermentation in dairy cows and from manure management practices.
Arable Land use
Dairy farming requires large areas of land for grazing and growing feed crops. This leads to deforestation and habitat loss, which contribute to biodiversity decline.
The dairy sector occupies about 10% of global agricultural land. (FAO)
Verley and precision fermentation
As a solution
Verley believes in leveraging technology and innovation to address the environmental challenges of the dairy industry. Precision fermentation provides a sustainable and complementary approach to conventional dairy production, significantly minimizing its environmental footprint.
This innovative method supports the dairy industry in crafting delicious and nutritious products while transitioning towards a lighter environmental impact.