The IDF global Carbon Footprint standard for the dairy sector

摘要

There is a recognized need to calculate greenhouse gas emissions (that is, the carbon footprint) for both dairy cattle (cows and buffalo) farming operations and dairy manufacturers within the global dairy sector. In 2010, the first edition of 'A Common Carbon Footprint Approach for the Dairy Sector: The IDF Guide to Standard Life Cycle Assessment Methodology' was published. This guide enabled the dairy sector to better understand the carbon footprint of a diverse range of dairy farming systems and through 'talking the same language' approach, explore and identify appropriate mitigation options. The guide was subsequently updated by the IDF in 2015 to capture new LCA and climate science developments and have now again reviewed and revised the guideline to reflect the fast-evolving science and standards in carbon footprint methodology. In addition, the sector is also able to build on the experiences gained through the extensive implementation of the guide over the previous 12 years. This revised version ensures that the guide remains practical for use by the dairy sector globally regardless of their stage of carbon footprinting developments. Several changes have been made, though no fundamental amendments have been necessary. In this 2022 version, for example, the guide now addresses the full value chain from cradle to grave and includes reference to other environmental impact categories. There are several areas that the sector would like to tackle, however the methodologies are not sufficiently developed to make this possible. The IDF has noted these key areas to ensure they remain on the agenda for future revisions. The IDF methodology for carbon footprinting is a dynamic development and will undergo regular revisions capturing the science as itevolves. A dedicated IDF LCA action team consisting of more than 50 LCA and dairy experts from 17 nationalities have committed to continually evaluating LCA and climate science to ensure that the methodology remains at the cutting edge of science providing a valuable resource on which then global dairy sector can evaluate, manage and reduce climate impacts in a responsible way.