Dairy declares on sustainability in Paris

The end of the World Dairy Summit in Paris last week saw the signing of the Paris Declaration on Sustainability, which is set to “reiterate and reinforce our commitments for a sustainable transformation of the dairy sector,” according to the International Dairy Federation and United Nations FAO.

“We recognise: the 2023 UN secretary-general’s call to action for accelerated food systems transformation as a key driver to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” it began, and then added, “The role of approximately 130 million dairy farms in the provision of nutritious food to billions of consumers and livelihoods for around one billion people, including farmers, processors, service providers, wholesalers, retailers and others; the role of the dairy sector in environmental sustainability and the need to decelerate climate change; the 2016 Declaration of Rotterdam, through which IDF and FAO committed to the sustainable development of the dairy sector,” and noted, “the current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the targets of the 2030 agenda.”

The parties agreed to “communicate and highlight the quantified and timetabled commitments made by the dairy sector, including companies and associations, towards sustainability. To document and share sustainable dairy practices aligned with SDGs for wider adoption by dairy stakeholders, and foster and support open consultation among dairy, other stakeholders and decision-makers for making the dairy sector a proactive player in the transformative shift towards sustainable agriculture.”

Further, it called for stakeholders to recognise the critical role of dairy in accelerating an eco-friendly evolution of food production, from a socio-economic, environmental and public health perspective. Additionally, it asked to enhance public–private dialogue and collaboration for the creation of an enabling environment that supports the wide adoption of sustainable dairy practices that reflect local needs and realities. It also asked the parties involved “to support risk-taking, innovation and an incentive-driven approach for rapidly and sustainably transforming the dairy sector, while preserving and improving the livelihoods of dairy stakeholders and the sustainability of the entire dairy chain.”