By driving down dairy methane emissions from their supply chains, food and dairy companies can increase resilience in their operations and supply chains, get ahead of existing and emerging regulations, accelerate progress toward meeting climate-related goals and demonstrate leadership across the livestock sector.

Collaboration across value chains and between sectors is essential to tackling dairy methane emissions head-on.

Case study: Danone’s work on external innovation

Danone has a robust external innovation strategy that focuses on all three stakeholder engagement activities:

• Methane abatement research groups: Global Methane Hub (GMH) launched its Enteric Fermentation R&D Accelerator in 2023 at COP28. Danone was the first corporation that committed to funding the accelerator, demonstrating its leadership and commitment to prioritizing dairy methane reductions. The Accelerator has pledged to invest at least $200 million in developing and implementing practical solutions aimed at reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
• Capital investments: Danone Ventures invests early in innovative companies that are bringing methane reduction solutions to market. In 2021, it invested in ZELP (Zero Emissions Livestock Project), a novel methane capture headpiece for cattle. In 2022 Danone Ventures led the Series A funding round of Symbrosia, a startup developing a seaweed-based feed additive, SeaGraze®.
• Pilot studies: Partnerships between universities and private companies developing methane solutions can help bring innovative solutions to market. In January of 2024, Danone partnered with Cornell University and Symbrosia to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new seaweed oil extract for methane reduction.