Reduced climate impact from production - beef and milk
Level: Advanced
Producing beef and milk can generate a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions through the animals' digestive process, the production of animal feed, fertilisers, and the conversion of natural land into farmland for grazing and fodder production. There are several ways to reduce the climate impact of beef and milk production, such as improving energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and feed analysis. Contracting authorities that set criteria for reducing the climate impact of beef production can contribute to beef and milk being produced with less of an impact on the climate.
Details
- Type:
- Technical specification
- ID:
- 11394
- Group:
- Milk and dairy from cows
Criterion text
Beef and/or milk products must be derived from production where measures have been taken to reduce the climate impact.
At least one of the following measures must have been implemented:
- The amount of fossil energy used has been minimised by an energy survey has been conducted and a plan that includes measures for improving energy efficiency and replacing fossil energy sources with renewable ones has been developed and followedThe electricity used in production comes from 100% renewable sources of energy.
- The producer has carried out an analysis and calculated the climate impact of the production and implemented a consultation programme aiming to reduce the climate impact of production.
Verification
Upon request the supplier shall be ready to present, for example, one of the following:
- Certification that meets the requirement, such as IP Sigill nöt klimatcertifiering [climate certification option], KRAV or other certification showing that the requirement is met.
- Implemented Climate Check-Up or Energy Check-Up programmes for farms through a certified climate adviser.
Proposed follow-up
Monitoring of compliance during the contract period can for example be done through sampling at one or several occasions of one or several products for which the criterion applies. The supplier can prove that the product(s) meet the requirement through, e.g,:
- Product labelling, e.g., Svenskt Sigill klimatcertifierad [climate certified], KRAV or other labels showing that the requirement is met.
- Advisory letter and action plan from certified climate advisor.
- Other written documentation showing that the requirement is met.
Information about the criterion
Market availability for climate-certified beef is limited. A market-analysis need to assure availability before the criterion is used.
Environmental goals
Motive
Greenhouse gases from beef and milk production is emitted mainly from the animals' digestion, the production of animal feed, fertilisers, and the conversion of natural land into farmland for grazing and fodder production. The digestion process of ruminants generates methane gas emissions. Methane produces a more powerful greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide but remains in the atmosphere for a shorter length of time. Reducing the use of fossil fuels, using renewable energy and implementing other measures for limiting the climate impact reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions from production without compromising the animal's welfare.
Versions history
The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.
- Current ID
- 11394
- Version date
- 2020-03-25
2020-03-25: Original version