One year after releasing its climate roadmap, Fonterra is on track to meet its climate targets and become coal-free in its North Island manufacturing.
The Co-op turned off the coal boiler at its Waitoa site this month, its last in the North Island. This marked a significant milestone in achieving the emissions reduction targets outlined in its Climate Roadmap, which was released in November 2023.
Fonterra Director of Sustainability Charlotte Rutherford said the Climate Roadmap has been central to guiding Fonterra’s journey toward achieving its near-term climate targets and ambition to be net zero by 2050.
“We've made a great start; while progress may not be linear, we are on track to meet these targets. I’m particularly proud of the team's work to achieve SBTi validation, the progress in providing tools and services for farmers, and the efforts to decarbonise our manufacturing sites,” said Rutherford.
“While it may be one year from the release of our Roadmap, we have been focused on reducing our emissions, particularly from our manufacturing and operations, for some time now and being free of coal in our North Island manufacturing is something the team should be proud of.”
This year alone, three renewable energy projects at Edendale, Hautapu, and Clandeboye have reduced emissions by 62,500 tonnes, equivalent to taking 27,750 cars off the road.
Rutherford added that the work over the past year to lay the foundations for supporting farmers in reducing their emissions has been just as important.
"Reducing emissions through driving greater on-farm efficiencies is also a priority for the Co-op. Our approach empowers farmers with tools, insights and support to make meaningful changes.
Over the past 12 months, Fonterra’s farmer-facing teams have been working on various tools and services for farmers, including targeted conversations to understand what the future may look like and mapping tools to help identify woody vegetation for carbon sequestration.
“As we move closer to 2030, we will begin to see the impact of these tools and services on the results. We know there's more work to be done, and right across the value chain, we continue to invest in innovative technologies and solutions that will set us up for success.”
Preliminary mapping of all New Zealand farms was completed this year using an advanced mapping method that uses satellite, aerial, and LIDAR technologies to measure carbon sequestration from vegetation on farms. Farmers are set to review their individual carbon data in early 2025.
