UK dairy industry unites in landmark alliance to drive sustainability

The UK dairy industry industry has announced a landmark new alliance uniting farmers, retailers, processors and foodservice giants in a bold step to accelerate sustainability and shape the future of the sector.

This collaboration marks a fundamental shift in how environmental responsibility is shared across the dairy supply chain, from farm to fridge, with the launch of a new governance structure under the long-standing Dairy Roadmap.

Announced today, the coalition brings together major players including AHDB, Dairy UK, NFU, Arla Foods UK, Dale Farm, First Milk, Lactalis UK & Ireland, Müller UK & Ireland, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, McDonald’s and Sysco GB. These organisations will work together under a newly established Steering Group to deliver strategic oversight for the roadmap.

Creating a resilient and sustainable future

At the heart of this collaboration is a commitment to innovation and shared responsibility. Bas Padberg, the new chair of the Dairy Roadmap and Managing Director of Arla Foods UK, commented:

We have to find ways of feeding a growing population and providing nutrient-dense foods that nourish people. Dairy has a key role to play in this, but we know that as an industry, we also need to ensure that we limit our impact on the environment and bring down emissions.

Collaborating across the industry and with the biggest retailers and foodservice partners shows the commitment that we have in our sector to create a more resilient and sustainable future for our food. As a natural source of nutrition, the future for dairy is bright and I look forward to steering the collaborative effort that will drive real change.”

Building on this vision, the refreshed Roadmap will develop a new Sustainable Dairy Pathways Report, due in 2026. This report will identify the funding, innovation and infrastructure needed to reach net zero and other key environmental targets. Crucially, it will be independently led and invite contributions from across the sector, ensuring it reflects the realities and needs of farmers, processors and retailers alike.

Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, welcomed the initiative, saying:

This new collaboration is a major milestone for the Dairy Roadmap. We’re so excited to see the initiative evolving to meet the challenges of the future — uniting the value chain to move forward as one in reaching Net Zero, while protecting and enhancing nature along the way.”

Progress so far under the Dairy Roadmap

First launched in 2008, the Dairy Roadmap is one of the UK food sector’s longest-standing sustainability initiatives. Over the years, it has delivered significant progress, including:

• 80 percent of farmers calculating their carbon footprint
• 65 percent of dairy farmland in environmental schemes
• 40 percent of on-farm energy from renewable sources
• 20 percent increase in processor energy efficiency
• 17 percent reduction in energy-related carbon per kg of product
• 20 percent increase in water efficiency

Refreshed and ambitious approach

While progress has been strong, the sector recognises that further action is essential. Paul Tompkins, NFU National Dairy Board Chair, noted:

The costs and complexities of compliance are significant, and dairy farmers cannot meet them alone. We are pleased to be embarking on a refreshed, collaborative approach to driving environmental performance.”

The new alliance aims to make sustainability a shared responsibility. For the first time, governance will span the entire dairy value chain, ensuring coordinated action on everything from emissions reduction and nature recovery to animal welfare and water stewardship.

Lyndon Edwards, outgoing Dairy Roadmap Chair and Chair of AHDB’s Dairy Sector Council, reflected:

This new approach to meeting sustainability targets marks an ambitious new chapter for our sector. Through this commitment and collaborative effort, we are rising to the challenge of securing a profitable, resilient and sustainable future for the UK dairy industry.”

Looking ahead, stakeholders from across the sector will be invited to help shape the Sustainable Pathways Report over the coming year.