CARBON FOOTPRINT OF MILK

Following in the footsteps of UK figures for soft drinks from Coca-Cola (bevblog, 1 April 2009), we now have new insights on milk from New Zealand’s Fonterra. One litre of Fonterra milk is reported to have a carbon footprint of 940 grams. 85% is generated on the farm, 10% in processing and manufacturing, then the final 5% in distribution. 59% is methane, 24% nitrous oxide and 17% carbon dioxide. Apparently UK produced milk has 34% higher emissions because British farmers rely more heavily on concentrated feed. One day we’ll be comparing carbon footprints on pack like calories.