ADIC and DA submission to the consultation on the Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan

Dairy processors continue to strengthen their understanding and commitment to sustainability and climate action through targeted goals and transition plans. Collectively, they work together on pre-competitive projects to reduce their environmental impact through the Dairy Manufacturers Sustainability Council (DMSC) – a nationally recognised community of practice, comprised primarily of environmental and sustainability group managers.

The DMSC provides a yearly post farmgate environmental scorecard that underpins the reporting of the ADSF, called the Dairy Manufacturers Environmental Scorecard. The latest 2021-22 report showed a reduction in dairy manufacturers GHG emissions intensity by 25.5% between 2010/11 and 2020/21, equating to a 27% reduction in absolute GHG emissions.

A number of dairy manufacturers and global customers have also committed to reduce their emissions more aggressively and actively participate in global programs such as the Science-Based Targets Initiative, continually strengthening their understanding, measuring and managing sustainability through more targeted goals and transition plans.

While progress has been made, further investment and support from governments is needed to progress emissions reductions more quickly and achieve industry and government targets.

Our submission identifies where government support is required.