Food conglomerate Nestle announced its withdrawal from a worldwide coalition dedicated to reducing methane emissions in the dairy industry to combat global warming. The initiative, known as the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, was established in December 2023, with participants such as Danone, Kraft Heinz, and Starbucks committing to measuring and disclosing methane emissions from their dairy supply chains and devising strategies to diminish these emissions over time.
Although Nestle did not provide a specific reason for its departure from the alliance, the company assured its ongoing efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, across its supply chains, while maintaining its pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
This move reflects a setback for corporate collaborations addressing climate change, coinciding with the dismantling of various climate protection programs by US President Donald Trump. Notably, several major financial institutions have also withdrawn from leading groups in the industry focusing on reducing carbon emissions.
Responding to the decision, Nestle stated, “Nestle routinely evaluates its affiliations with external organizations. As part of this assessment, we have opted to terminate our involvement in the Dairy Methane Action Alliance.”
Nestle reported a nearly 21% reduction in methane emissions by the end of 2024 compared to levels in 2018, as outlined in its 2024 non-financial report. Methane, known to be almost 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, remains a critical target for global warming mitigation efforts.
The Environmental Defense Fund, the initiator of the methane alliance, estimates that agriculture contributes to nearly 40% of human-induced methane emissions, with livestock accounting for the majority. While Nestle’s logo has been removed from the EDF’s main webpage, the company’s name still features on other sections. The EDF has not responded immediately to requests for comments.