COP29 has concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and Global Dairy Platform (GDP) reaffirm the global dairy sector’s steadfast commitment to a sustainable food system, climate action, and global nutrition security.
The dairy sector continues to prioritize environmental progress while producing nutrient-dense food and generating positive socio-economic impact in a world challenged by climate change and increasing nutritional demands. Each day, 6 billion people benefit from the vital nutrition that dairy provides, while nearly 1 billion individuals rely on the sector for their livelihoods. This dual responsibility—to feed and to sustain—drives our sector’s collective action toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Throughout COP29, we have shared the sector’s achievements, from advancements in methodologies, policies, and technologies to assess and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to highlighting its nature-positive contributions in soil health, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity enhancement. These efforts highlight our dedication to aligning with global climate targets while maintaining dairy’s essential role in resilient food systems.
As noted in several COP29 events, we help ensure continued progress through Pathways to Dairy Net Zero (P2DNZ), which is governed by GDP, IDF and several other organizations. P2DNZ shows that the dairy sector is taking action on climate change, with efforts that encompass both developed markets, where the emphasis is on how dairy companies can lessen environmental impact in areas such as animal nutrition and dairy production, and emerging markets, where investment is vital to transform the dairy sector to improve nutrition accessibility, build socio-economic growth and cut emissions.
Also, the Paris Dairy Declaration, signed in 2024, is an important statement on our sector’s commitment to sustainability. By linking global dairy priorities with climate objectives, this declaration can guide collaborative efforts toward sustainable development. It underscores the critical role of dairy in providing nutritious food while protecting and enhancing our planet’s resources.
We commend the proactive measures implemented by farmers and stakeholders worldwide, adopting innovative solutions to minimize the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. These actions, supported by cross-sector collaboration and informed policy, ensure that dairy continues to balance its environmental impact with its unparalleled contribution to nutrition and socio-economic development.
As we look ahead, GDP and IDF call on governments, policymakers, and global partners to amplify support for sustainable dairy practices, emphasizing the importance of innovation, research, and knowledge-sharing to accelerate progress and ensure widespread access to nutrient-dense food while generating socio-economic growth.
GDP and IDF remain committed to advancing dairy’s role in sustainable food systems, ensuring that the sector continues to thrive while contributing to a healthier planet and a prosperous future for all.
Laurence Rycken
Director General
International Dairy Federation AISBL Silver Building, Boulevard Auguste Reyers 70/B, B-1030 Brussels
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