Fonterra fails to grasp sustainability

Greenpeace sent a delegate to the summit, Climate Campaigner Nathan Argent, in the hope that some serious discussion would take place on how the dairy industry could play a positive role in the fight against climate change.

“It was disappointing to see that despite the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector, the summit was just another talking shop in the dairy calendar. There was more interest in exchanging business cards, protecting costs structures and expanding networks than putting the planet before profit,” says Argent.

“It seems obvious that Fonterra are more interested in telling a good story and becoming better at green washing than they are in being part of the solution to climate change. And the proof is in the pudding. How can Fonterra claim to be serious about sustainability when they’re involved in the unsustainable trade in palm kernel and powering their milk plants with dirty fossil fuels?”

“Whilst other countries and farmers are rising to meet the challenges ahead, Fonterra's leadership seems determined to protect its business interests and image, rather than the environment it pretends to be a custodian of.”