A NET-ZERO FUTURE. DECADES IN THE MAKING.

For decades, Canadian dairy farmers have been committed to producing milk and taking care of the environment for future generations. Now they are committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for the sector by the year 2050. Sustainable objectives include various ways to improve soil health and water conservation, tackling waste, focusing on energy efficiency, protecting biodiversity and more.

WHAT DOES NET ZERO MEAN?

Net-zero emissions means achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted from farms, and the greenhouse gases they remove from the atmosphere. In other words, the idea is to reduce emissions at the farm level as much as possible and offset the remainder through carbon sequestration, bringing net emissions to zero.

HOW CAN NET ZERO BE ACHIEVED ON FARMS?

There are several ways farmers can reduce emissions on farms and capture carbon from the air. Here are a few of them.

Soil preservation and water conservation

Soil preservation and water conservation

Soil preservation and water conservation through minimizing tillage, cover cropping, rotational grazing, conserving wetlands, and supporting riparian buffer zones. Find out more about how it’s done.

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Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is being protected and enhanced on dairy farms thanks to different habitats providing trees, hedgerows, wooded areas and wetlands. Biodiversity in the soil is also important, because under the surface are microorganisms that contribute to overall environmental wellbeing. Things like reducing tillage, adding fields of perennial plants, and planting cover crops can enhance biodiversity, too. Check out how Canadian dairy farmers are doing just that.

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Plastic recycling

Plastic recycling

Plastic recycling through key partnerships with Canadian dairy farmers ensures more agricultural plastic waste is part of the circular economy. Get to know more about how these plastics can be recycled and upcycled.

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Renewable energy production

Renewable energy production

Renewable energy production using innovative, environmentally-friendly methods such as biodigesters that do anaerobic digestion, turbines that generate wind energy, and solar panels that generate solar energy. Find out more about these methods.

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