Arla Foods
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Reporting Period: 2011
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved zero waste to landfill before the end of 2011 at all UK sites.
- Made progress on several fronts, including heat reuse from the cooling water system at Hobro Dairy in Denmark, resulting in an approximate 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- 20% savings on water consumption in Denmark Protein, mainly due to increased water recycling.
Social Achievements
- Improved image and increased recognition of the Arla brand in Denmark.
- Launched the Sustainability on farm programme.
Governance Achievements
- Reviewed responsibilities, duties, tasks, and organization of the Arla Board.
- Introduced a new model for handling the milk price paid to the owners.
- Strengthened both internal and external reporting.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Half of energy consumption will come from renewable sources by 2020.
- Achieve a revenue of 75 billion DKK by 2015.
- Double revenue from whey and ingredients activities before 2015.
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 25% within production, transportation, and packaging before 2020 (from 2005 levels).
- Sustainably reducing the cost base further by at least 500 million DKK within 18 months.
Environmental Challenges
- Declining dairy commodity prices.
- Increased competition from suppliers in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil.
- Increased price sensitivity among consumers in Europe and the US.
- Weak economic outlook in the UK.
- New Danish tax on fat products.
- Economic crisis in Western world leading to slower growth.
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing heavily in innovation to find answers to the global nutrition challenge.
- Conducting research to ensure continued product innovation and development of raw milk as a resource.
- Focusing on streamlining the supply chain to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- Implementing Lean production techniques.
- Actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions and consolidation opportunities.
- Developing a Post-Merger Integration (PMI) model.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct for Suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact
Certifications: ISO 22000
Awards & Recognition
- Best supplier of the year 2011 by Danish retailers
Reporting Period: 2014
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Responsible company
- Confidence in products
- Care for the environment and animal welfare
- Respectful relations
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced total climate impact by 12% compared to 2005 levels despite increased production
- Reduced water consumption by 44% at Holstebro Flødeost since 2009
- Increased renewable energy share in some Swedish sites to over 90%
- Reduced waste going to landfill by 82% at Concord, Canada plant
- 84% renewable material in milk carton caps in Sweden (4.5% increase)
Social Achievements
- Launched a global health strategy focusing on stimulating healthy diets, simplifying choices, inspiring good food habits, and accommodating specific needs
- Improved consumer views of Arla across core markets
- Implemented Arlagården® quality program in all owner countries except UK (to be introduced in 2015)
- More than 95% of affected colleagues found alternative employment after Ashby dairy closure
- 80 of former Falkenberg dairy colleagues reapplied for jobs at new facility
Governance Achievements
- Established a CSR committee with the CEO as chairman
- Developed a mandatory e-learning training module on Arla’s Code of Conduct (available in four languages)
- Updated anti-bribery policy
- Expanded whistleblowing function to more countries
- Implemented a new payment model for milk, providing equal pay for equal milk across all owner countries by 2018
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce the carbon footprint across all Arla farms by 30% before 2020 (compared to 1990 levels)
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from operations, transportation, and packaging by 25% by 2020 (compared to 2005 levels)
- Reduce water and energy consumption by 3% annually until 2020
- Achieve 50% renewable energy by 2020
- Reduce food waste from production and final dairy products by 50% by 2020 (compared to 2008 levels)
Environmental Challenges
- Volatile milk price due to increased global milk supply and reduced demand from China and Russia
- Relocation of production lines impacting employees and the environment
- Balancing efficiency goals with concern for colleagues during restructuring
- Ensuring compliance of purchases from preferred suppliers
- Maintaining high standards in new and developing markets
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented a long-term savings program
- Developed specific plans to mitigate negative effects of production line relocations, including outplacement support
- Implemented a new IT system for sourcing, contract management, and supplier performance management
- Revised supplier audit setup with increased focus on social responsibility, environment, health, and safety
- Applied three key criteria when doing business in growth regions: never compromise food safety, always have a positive overall impact, and always be a long-term business opportunity
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Approximately 40 audits globally in 2014
Responsible Procurement
- Code of conduct for suppliers
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) process
- Focus on preferred suppliers
- Sharpened requirements on palm oil suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 22000, BRC, IFS, SQF, FSSC 22000
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Lactose-free products
- Products with reduced salt, sugar, and fat content
- High-protein products
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2015
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Responsible company
- Confidence in products
- Care for the environment and animal welfare
- Responsible relations
Environmental Achievements
- Continuously reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain
- Improve resource efficiency for water, energy and materials
- Avoid and/or reduce waste from operations by maximizing reuse, recycling and recovery of materials
Social Achievements
- Provide safe and healthy working conditions
- Invest in employee personal and professional development
- Contribute positively to sustainable development in the communities in which we operate
Governance Achievements
- Committed to complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations
- Zero fraud and bribery tolerance
- Ensure transparency in business conduct
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Expect suppliers to comply with Code of Conduct, including environmental, social and human rights aspects
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2017
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Health
- Inspiration
- Natural
- Sustainable Dairy Farming
- Environmental Sustainability
- Human Rights
- Food Safety
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced total climate impact by 18% since 2005 despite increased production.
- Increased use of biogas at dairies by 80% compared to 2016.
- Reduced water consumption by 700,000 m³ in collaboration with suppliers.
- Reduced waste to landfill by 77%.
Social Achievements
- Introduced Arlagården® Plus for increased transparency in animal welfare and sustainable production (75% of farmer owners signed up).
- More than 480,000 consumers visited farms through Open Farm events.
- 93% of Arla® branded products fulfill Nutrition Criteria.
- Launched initiatives to improve nutrition in Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
- Published first corporate marketing policy on responsible food marketing.
- Improved management of product quality incidents.
Governance Achievements
- Strengthened commitment to respect human rights in all business areas and processes.
- Published a Modern Slavery statement.
- Aligned tools and processes for human rights assessment of business partners and suppliers.
- Introduced a common milk quality model in all member countries.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farms by 30% per kilo milk by 2020 (compared to 1990).
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from operations, packaging and transport by 25% by 2020 (compared to 2005).
- Achieve 50% renewable energy by 2020.
- Reduce energy and water consumption by 3% annually towards 2020.
- Increase products complying with Arla® Nutrition Criteria by 1%.
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing the climate impact of transportation.
- Maintaining refrigerated supply chains in emerging markets.
- Balancing taste, affordability, and shelf-life when reformulating products.
- Addressing food waste in production and at consumer level.
- Ensuring sustainable sourcing of ingredients (palm oil, cocoa, soy).
- Negative human rights impacts in emerging markets.
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing in larger milk collecting tankers and eco-driving training.
- Developing long-life yogurt that doesn't require refrigeration.
- Using ingredients complementing dairy nutrients and optimizing processing/packaging.
- Donating surplus products to food banks.
- Conducting supplier audits and implementing a code of conduct.
- Conducting human rights due diligences and collaborating with NGOs and government bodies.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 63 audits globally in 2017
Responsible Procurement
- Code of conduct for suppliers
- Supplier assurance team
- Monitoring programs for raw material safety and quality.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Certifications: GFSI
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 2
- 8
- 12
- 3
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 13
- 15
- 17
Arla's activities positively impact several SDGs through sustainable production, job creation, responsible sourcing, and providing healthy and affordable dairy products.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Long-life yogurt
- New packaging innovations reducing climate impact
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2018
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Sustainability
- Climate Change
- Animal Welfare
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Human Rights
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced farm level emissions by 24% per kg of milk compared to 1990.
- Launched Arla® Øko (Eco) milk carton, reducing climate impact by 358 tonnes of CO2 annually.
- Reduced emissions by 35% since 2014 compared to the production of the traditional milk carton.
Social Achievements
- Launched Arla &More range of healthy products.
- Relaunched Dano as Dano Power in Bangladesh, generating over 18 million digital engagements and 8% revenue growth.
- Sommarmjölk® initiative in Sweden, compensating farmers for extra summer grazing time for cattle, with three out of four conventional Arla farmers participating.
- Reduced product recalls by 80% in 2018.
- Arla Sweden began labelling fresh dairy products ‘Best before, often good after’ to reduce food waste.
Governance Achievements
- Transformed structure to become ONE Arla with direct membership for all owners.
- Improved delivery services with key accounts across Europe.
- Increased digital engagement for Arla® brands by 90% compared to 2017.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farms by 30% per kilo of milk by 2020.
Environmental Challenges
- Declining milk and commodity prices.
- Uncertainty from Brexit negotiations.
- Significant shifts in fat and protein prices.
- Weak GBP and unfavourable fat and protein prices.
- Challenges in bulk business in Nigeria.
- Delays in authority approvals in China.
- Changes in Chinese infant formula regulations.
- Declining dairy consumption trends in Europe.
Mitigation Strategies
- Strong focus on price and margin management.
- Introduction of Calcium transformation programme.
- Substantial cost reductions.
- Relentless focus on growing strategic brands.
- Acquisition of Yeo Valley organic brand.
- Planned acquisition of Mondeléz’ Kraft-branded processed cheese business in MENA.
- 21-year license agreement with StarbucksTM.
- Enhanced price performance management.
- Increased hedging of GBP exposure.
- Ambitious strategy to accelerate the transition to sustainable dairy.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Arla® Øko (Eco) milk carton
- Arla Bio yoghurt
Awards & Recognition
- Over 50 marketing awards for Arla® brand
- 4 Effie marketing awards for Puck® brand
- Arla® Skyr Fruit & Oats voted Product of the Year in the UK
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Biodiversity
- Dyrevelfærd (Animal Welfare)
- Human Rights
- Responsible Sourcing
- Food Safety
- Nutrition
- Employee Well-being
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved CO₂e-neutral fresh milk dairies and four distribution terminals in Denmark.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from Danish dairies by 84% or 26,000 tons CO₂e annually through renewable energy.
- Implemented Climate Check on 8,126 farms (93% of farmers, 96% of milk volume).
- Launched new packaging initiatives reducing climate footprint (e.g., removing plastic lids from organic milk cartons).
Social Achievements
- Reached 75 million low-income consumers with affordable products in Nigeria and Bangladesh.
- Implemented updated Arlagården® quality assurance program, including quarterly animal welfare reporting.
- Launched Arla Deals, a digital platform for discounted short-shelf-life products.
- Increased products meeting Arla’s nutritional criteria by over 15,000 tons.
Governance Achievements
- Developed comprehensive manual for competition law compliance.
- Strengthened internal controls and monitoring activities to ensure Code of Conduct compliance.
- Improved management structure for reporting critical human rights risks.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% for Scope 1 & 2 and 30% per kg milk & whey for Scope 3 by 2030.
- Increase products meeting Arla’s nutritional criteria by 60,000 tons by 2025.
- Increase recyclable packaging to 100% by 2025.
- Reduce water consumption (specific target not provided).
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and stakeholder focus.
- Economic effects of COVID-19 disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
- Availability and price of renewable fuels.
- Challenges in communicating CO₂e-neutrality to consumers.
- Limited availability of segregated certified soy and palm oil.
- Data limitations in measuring biodiversity and water consumption on farms.
Mitigation Strategies
- Relied on cooperative democracy to address crisis effects.
- Continued investments in sustainable local dairy sectors in Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
- Introduced new initiatives on farms, operations, packaging, and logistics.
- Implemented online versions of Climate Check and training sessions.
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies for palm oil and soy.
- Improved communication on CO₂e-neutral products.
- Used RTRS and RSPO credits to promote sustainable production.
- Planning to introduce biodiversity assessments on farms in 2021.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 71 audits (physical, virtual, and desk audits)
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct for Suppliers
- Sourcing standards for soy, palm oil, and cocoa.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Climate change impacts on supply chain
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SBTi, UN Global Compact
Third-party Assurance: EY (limited assurance for Scope 3 farm emissions)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Initiatives contributing to these goals are described throughout the report.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- CO₂e-neutral organic dairy products
- Plant-based oat drinks (JÖRĐ brand)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Sustainable Supply Chain
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced climate impact for scope 1 and 2 by 25 per cent from a 2015 baseline year.
- Received approval from the Science Based Target Initiative for its new emissions reductions target of 63 per cent by 2030 for scope 1 and 2.
Social Achievements
- Increased supplementary payments to farmer owners to 1.5 eurocent per kilo of milk.
- Maintained a competitive pre-paid milk price that increased by 23% throughout the year to support farmer owners challenged by rising costs.
Governance Achievements
- Board of Representatives approved a new retainment policy to support investment levels required by Arla and its farmer owners.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Reduce emissions by 63% by 2030 (Scope 1 & 2)
Environmental Challenges
- Continued disruptions from the pandemic.
- Renewed market volatility created by high inflation.
- Rising costs and additional requirements on farms.
- Significant increases in raw material and energy prices challenging margins.
Mitigation Strategies
- Strong operational execution to navigate global challenges.
- Strengthened financial position.
- Grew brands while delivering savings across the supply chain.
- Calcium transformation and cost savings programme delivered EUR 287 million in net savings (EUR 634 million excluding inflation).
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Science Based Target initiative (SBTi)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Sustainable Dairy Farming
- Biodiversity
- Health and Nutrition
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Employee Well-being
- Human Rights
- Responsible Sourcing
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced CO2e emissions from owner milk to 1.12 kg/kg milk from 1.15 kg/kg milk in 2021.
- Reduced scope 3 emissions by 2 percentage points per kg of milk and whey, and in total by 9% compared to the 2015 baseline.
- Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 4 percentage points in 2022, and in total by 29 per cent compared to our 2015 baseline.
- Secured 100% green electricity for all production in Denmark by 2025 through power purchase agreements.
- Saved around 3 million litres of raw milk in three UK production sites by installing real-time material loss sensors.
Social Achievements
- Launched a Sustainability Incentive Model rewarding farmers for sustainability actions with up to 3 EUR-cent/kg of milk.
- Arla Protein delivered 48.9% volume growth in 2022.
- Reached over 87 million consumers with affordable nutrition products.
- Launched new affordable milk-based powder in Nigeria and Ghana.
- Food Movers educational program reached over 56,000 students in Denmark.
Governance Achievements
- Introduced a Sustainability Incentive Model for farmers.
- Divested Russian business due to the war in Ukraine.
- Enhanced risk management process across business units.
- Published data ethics policy.
- Revised and strengthened Code of Conduct for Suppliers.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Carbon net zero across value chain by 2050.
- Remove virgin fossil-based plastic in packaging by 2030.
- Reduce scope 3 emissions by 30% per kg standardised milk and whey by 2030.
- Reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63% by 2030.
- Cut food waste by 50% by 2030 (vs. 2015).
- 100% green electricity in Europe by 2025.
- 100% recyclable packaging for Arla’s own brands by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Inflation and uncertainty in global markets and supply chains.
- Russia's invasion of Ukraine exacerbated pressure on global markets and supply chains.
- Soaring production costs for farmers.
- Significant downwards trend in consumer spending.
- Decline in branded volumes due to cost-of-living crisis.
- High inflation in energy prices, ingredients, and packaging.
- Climate-related regulatory changes and potential carbon taxes.
- Risk of decline in milk volumes due to climate-related risks.
- Risk of impairment of production capacity due to climate-related risks.
- Risk of increased production costs due to climate-related regulations.
Mitigation Strategies
- Agile execution and price increases across business segments.
- Introduced a sustainability incentive for farmers.
- Adjusted expectations regarding branded volume growth and efficiencies.
- Implemented energy efficiency initiatives at production sites.
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies.
- Strengthened risk management process.
- Published data ethics policy.
- Revised and strengthened Code of Conduct for Suppliers.
- Implemented a Sustainability Incentive Model.
- Entered into power purchase agreements for green electricity.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 58 supplier audits conducted in 2022
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct for Suppliers
- Responsible sourcing of palm oil, soy, cocoa, and forest fibre.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Climate-related regulatory changes
- Regulations to reduce emissions in production and from agricultural activities
- Land use regulations
- Environmental footprint and origin labelling
- Change in dietary guidelines and trends
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes
- Sustainability Incentive Model
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD, UN Sustainable Development Goals, UN Global Compact, GRI, Danish Financial Statements Act §99a and §99b
Third-party Assurance: EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
- Goal 2 (Zero Hunger)
- Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
Arla's initiatives contribute to these goals through sustainable dairy farming, emission reductions, affordable nutrition products, employee well-being programs, and responsible governance.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Arla Protein
- Probiotic quark range in sustainable fibre cup
- Personalised lids from consumers in Luonto+ yoghurt cup range
- Recyclable packaging for cheeses in UK
- Simplified sachet and pilot recycling project for Arla® Dano Daily Pushti in Bangladesh
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Animal welfare
- Biodiversity
- Resource use and circularity
- Own workforce
- Workers in the value chain
- Consumers
- Business conduct
- Food safety
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 4 percentage points in 2023, reaching a total reduction of 33% compared to the 2015 baseline.
- Reduced scope 3 emissions per kg of milk and whey by 3 percentage points (2022: 2 percentage points), and in total by 12% compared to our 2015 baseline.
- Increased renewable electricity share to 69% in 2023 from 52% in 2022.
- Reached 0% virgin fossil-based plastic in packaging for some own brands.
Social Achievements
- Launched the Sustainability Incentive model, paying out EUR 226 million to farmer owners based on their sustainability activities.
- Employee Engagement Index was 86% in 2023.
- Reached 97 million low-income consumers with affordable nutrition products (target: 90 million).
Governance Achievements
- Implemented a Sustainability Incentive model linking farmer payments to on-farm sustainability actions.
- Strengthened risk management process by enhancing the approach across business units.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Carbon net zero across value chain by 2050
- 63% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030
- 30% reduction in scope 3 emissions per kg of milk and whey by 2030
- 30% women on the Board of Directors by 2026
- 100% renewable electricity in Europe by 2025
- Achieve 95% of packaging designed for recycling by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Market volatility and shifting consumer behavior due to inflation and decreasing commodity prices.
- Adverse foreign exchange rate effects.
- High inflationary pressure on operational costs.
- Maintaining competitiveness in a deflated dairy market.
- Addressing deforestation and conversion-free sourcing of primary risk commodities.
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented efficiency program, Fund our Future, delivering net savings of EUR 114 million.
- Launched Customer Sustainability Programme to commercialize on-farm sustainability efforts and help customers achieve their scope 3 reduction targets.
- Established sourcing policies for palm, soy, and forest fibre to achieve deforestation and conversion-free status by 2025.
- Implemented a carbon pricing scheme to incorporate carbon impact into investment decisions.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 73 physical and virtual audits in 2023
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct for Suppliers and Business Partners
- Global Purchasing Policy
- Responsible Sourcing Policies for palm, soy, and forest fibre
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- Heat waves
Transition Risks
- Climate-related regulatory changes
- Regulations to reduce emissions from agricultural activities
- Land use regulation
- Animal welfare regulations
- Environmental footprint and origin product labelling
- Change in dietary guidelines and trends
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes
- Leadership in sustainable dairy production
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: ESRS, GRI, TCFD, UNGC, SDG
Certifications: Global Food Safety Initiative
Third-party Assurance: SGS (limited assurance for most disclosures; reasonable assurance for key metrics)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
- Goal 13 (Climate action)
- Goal 2 (Zero hunger)
- Goal 3 (Good health and well-being)
- Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth)
- Goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions)
Arla's initiatives contribute to these goals through various programs and targets related to climate change, resource efficiency, food safety, animal welfare, employee well-being, and responsible business conduct.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Arla Protein
- Improved recipes for Puck cheese with reduced fat and salt, increased protein
Awards & Recognition
- Arla® recognised as Europe's most popular dairy brand by the 2023 Kantar Brand Footprint report
Reporting Period: 2024
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Food Security
- Farmer Engagement
- Digitalization of Agriculture
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved -63% reduction target for Scope 1 & 2 emissions (approved by SBTi)
- Achieved Scope 3 target of -30% per tonne of standardized raw milk (approved by SBTi)
- Launched FarmAhead™ Incentive, paying out €2.2 billion by 2030 to support farmer sustainability efforts.
- Launched FarmAhead™ Customer Partnership to accelerate on-farm sustainability and help customers achieve Scope 3 emission reduction targets.
Social Achievements
- FarmAhead™ Incentive program engaging nearly 80% of farmer owners in the first six months.
- FarmAhead™ Check program collecting on-farm data to identify top levers for emission reduction.
- Focus on generational renewal in agriculture, addressing the challenge of aging farmer population.
Governance Achievements
- Arla Foods is a farmer-owned cooperative, giving farmers a central role in governance.
- Active participation in UN Global Compact and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Climate Goals & Targets
- Become carbon net-zero by 2050
- Significantly reduce CO2e emissions by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Global volatility, economic shocks, and sustainability crisis.
- Uncertainty about future legislation impacting investment and innovation.
- Polarization in agricultural policy discourse.
- Aging farmer population and generational renewal.
- Lack of digital infrastructure in rural areas.
- Threats to global food supply chains due to weather events, pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts.
- Need to increase food production by 40-45% by 2050.
Mitigation Strategies
- Advocating for an empowering, incentivizing, and enabling policy framework.
- Promoting open dialogue between public and private sectors.
- Implementing FarmAhead™ Incentive and Customer Partnership programs.
- Investing €4 billion in sustainability, digitalization, new production technologies, and product development (Future26 Strategy).
- Promoting public-private partnerships.
- Supporting digitalization of agriculture.
- Advocating for a holistic food systems approach.
- Supporting research and innovation.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- FarmAhead™ Check requirements covering climate, nature, milk quality, animal welfare, and people.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Droughts
- Floods
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)