Ten years of Carbon Reduction dairy sector still leading the way
Dairy Energy Savings (DES) this week celebrates 10 years of operating the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) on behalf of the dairy sector, thereby eliminating more than 130,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The sector now emits 17% less carbon than it did in 2000.
Chairman Gerry Sweeney said The CCA has been a great success and has helped drive efficiency improvements across the processing sector.
The Government is currently considering the future of the CCA scheme and all carbon reduction mechanisms. Dairy Energy Savings urges the Government to work with the dairy industry to find a workable solution to emissions reductions which recognises the sectors progress to date and its continuing commitment to reducing even further the impact of milk processing in the UK.
Echoing improvements in emissions reductions, the industry has also made significant improvements in other environmental areas. The achievements of the dairy sector were highlighted recently in a letter from The Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who commended Dairy UK and the sector for leading the way on environmental improvement through waste reduction.
The work of DES is directed by its board which consists of Gerry Sweeney (Robert Wiseman Dairies), Trevor Benyon (Muller Dairy UK), John Pinder (Arla Foods UK), Paul Rowe (First Milk), Jim Begg (Dairy UK), Peter Dawson (Dairy UK), and Kirk Hunter (Dairy UK – Company).
About Dairy UK:
Dairy UK is a trade association that represents the interests of dairy farmers, producer co-ops, milk processors and doorstep deliverymen. For more information visit www.dairyUK.org.
About Dairy Energy Savings:
Dairy Energy Savings is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dairy UK and administers the Climate Change Agreement with the dairy sector on behalf of dairy processors.
The CCA with industry delivers a rebate on the governments Climate Change Levy for sectors that meet targets on carbon emissions and energy use. In the dairy sector, the carbon savings required to qualify for the rebate have been met and exceeded at each milestone period.