Net Zero Roadmap for the DMK Group

PFC

SBTi

Net Zero

On the Path to a Net-Zero Farm

The DMK Group is one of Europe’s largest dairy cooperatives and processes milk from nearly 5,000 farmers into branded and private-label products for the domestic and international markets. As part of its 2030 Sustainability Strategy, DMK has had its science-based climate targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), thereby taking on a pioneering role in the industry.

Current Situation: Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Milk Production

Approximately 73% of the DMK Group’s total greenhouse gas emissions originate from agricultural production, primarily from raw milk production—due to methane and nitrous oxide from cattle husbandry and manure storage, as well as emissionsfrom feed production.
DMK has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture by 30.3% by 2030 compared to 2022, and the key to this lies with dairy farms.
The goal was to find practical, economically viable ways to measurably reduce emissions on farms and achieve “net-zero milk production” in the long term.

Project approach: A sustainable climate strategy through pilot projects on four farms

Through the DMK Net Zero Farms project, DMK—in collaboration with the agricultural sector, academia, industry, and us as a specialized sustainability consultancy—identified and piloted concrete climate protection measures on four representative pilot farms in Germany and the Netherlands.

Measures were tested across key areas of dairy production, from feeding and herd management to forage production and fertilization, as well as energy use and initial carbon removal approaches.

Based on the pilot results, we developed a structured net-zero roadmap together with DMK—serving as a strategic framework for the future climate pathway.

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Result: 5–17% CO2 savings per kg of milk – Net-Zero Roadmap

Through efficiency measures, CO2 savings and greenhouse gas reductions of 5% to 17% per kg of milk were achieved, depending on the farm.

Together with DMK, we developed a Net-Zero Roadmap as a systematic framework for SBTi-compliant reduction targets and long-term net-zero emissions. It comprises three key deliverables:

A catalog of measures evaluated based on GHG reduction potential, additional implementation costs, side effects, and feasibility.
Scenario tool that combines reduction and removal measures and models climate pathways through 2050 at the farm and dairy level.
Final report: consolidates all findings from the pilot project, the catalog of measures, and roadmap development as a technical foundation for DMK’s future climate pathway in the dairy industry.

The roadmap links efficiency gains, innovative technologies, and nature-based carbon removal strategies. At the same time, DMK strengthens its role as a driver of transformation. Through the Climate Think Tank, webinars, and incentive programs, knowledge and incentives are systematically disseminated to the producer base.

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