Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, commonly known as Fonterra, is a leading dairy nutrition company headquartered in New Zealand. Established in 2001, Fonterra has grown to become a significant player in the global dairy industry, with major operations across Australia, Asia, and the Americas. The company focuses on producing high-quality dairy products, including milk powders, cheese, and butter, which are renowned for their nutritional value and sustainability. Fonterra's commitment to innovation and quality has positioned it as a trusted supplier in the market, serving both consumer and food service sectors. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and community engagement, Fonterra has achieved notable milestones, including being one of the largest exporters of dairy products worldwide. Its dedication to excellence continues to drive its success in the competitive dairy landscape.
How does Fonterra's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Dairy Processing industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Fonterra's score of 48 is higher than 72% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited reported total carbon emissions of approximately 25,823,000,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 1,347,000,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 500,000,000 kg CO2e, and significant Scope 3 emissions of around 23,976,000,000 kg CO2e, primarily from purchased goods and services. Fonterra has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 30% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by FY2030, using FY2018 as the baseline. Additionally, the company has committed that 70% of its suppliers by emissions will have science-based targets by 2024. Furthermore, Fonterra aims for a more aggressive target of a 50.4% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by FY2030, alongside a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 3 emissions per tonne of fat-and-protein-corrected milk by FY2030. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect Fonterra's commitment to sustainable practices, including a pledge to eliminate deforestation linked to its primary commodities by 2025. The company’s emissions data is sourced directly from Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, with no data cascaded from a parent organization.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,726,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 701,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 24,440,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Fonterra's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 1% last year and decreased by approximately 2% since 2018, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 98% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Fonterra has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about Fonterra's sustainability data and climate commitments