‘Greenwashing’ allegations plague Europe’s large meat, dairy companies

PARIS – Greenhouse gas emissions from Europe’s biggest meat and dairy firms continue to increase, according to a new report today, which found many firms are polluting “with impunity”. 

The non-profit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) said many major companies had no climate plans or targets and even among those that do it raised concerns about “greenwashing”, calling on governments to step up regulatory measures.

The study looked at 35 of the largest beef, pork, poultry and dairy companies headquartered in the European Union, United Kingdom and Switzerland, examining their possible climate plans and emissions from their supply chains, in particular livestock, a major emitter of greenhouse gases. 

According to the analysis, these companies were responsible for 7% of EU emissions in 2018, while the emissions of the top 20 exceed those of the Netherlands. 

“The climate footprint of Europe’s big meat and dairy companies rivals the fossil fuel giants, yet they continue to operate with impunity,” said IATP European director Shefali Sharma.

“The handful of companies that have climate plans rely on accounting tricks, greenwashing, and dubious offsets to distract from the fundamental changes needed to cut emissions, while off-loading many of the costs and risks onto farmers in their supply chains.”

Seven out of the 10 companies that the report tracked over time saw their climate footprint grow between 2016 and 2018. 

The emissions of Irish beef producer ABP surged 45%. Those of Germany's Tonnies, which supplies Aldi, rose 30%.

In dairy, French firms Danone and Lactalis saw their emissions climb 15% and 30% respectively from 2015 to 2017, according to the research. 

Of the 20 companies analysed, only four report emissions from their entire supply chain, IATP said, even though livestock production accounts for the lion’s share of emissions.

Only three – Nestle, FrieslandCampina and ABP – have committed to an overall reduction in livestock emissions.

The IATP was particularly critical of companies that it said were looking to reduce the emissions per kilo of meat or litre of milk – meaning their overall carbon footprint can grow if they expand production.  

It said some firms touted regenerative farming practices aimed at creating healthier soils, but said companies “invest relatively little and off-load the bulk of the cost and risk onto farmers”.

Increasing exports also mean consumer behaviour within Europe is only part of the picture, it added. – AFP, December 13, 2021