FrieslandCampina launches the world’s first tailor-made sustainability tool for member dairy farmers

FrieslandCampina is the first dairy company in the world to introduce a tailor-made sustainability tool for its more than 12.000 Dutch member dairy farmers. The online tool which is a simulation program supports them in further improving their sustainable business operations management.

The tool enables farmers to predict the total sustainability effects for their specific dairy farm as it integrally calculates the impact of sustainability measures aimed at, for example, reducing CO₂ emissions or improving biodiversity.

The online tool shows  the impact of sustainability measures in a “Foqus planet score”. Foqus planet is FrieslandCampina’s quality and sustainability program, that monitors (among other things) FrieslandCampina’s progress in achieving its sustainability objectives. In this way, FrieslandCampina stimulates its member dairy farmers to make dairy farms more sustainable. Member dairy farmers individually decide on how they want to contribute to FrieslandCampina’s sustainability goals. Now they can use the tool to acquire customized insights that helps in making an informed decision.

The tool derives from the program “Winning with Climate and Nature”. As part of the program, FrieslandCampina developed the tool in cooperation with consultancy firms. In addition to the tool, the program also includes other initiatives  to support member dairy farmers in achieving more sustainable business operations. For example, workshops are organized and online e-modules are offered to member dairy farmers to share knowledge and experiences relating to  sustainability, biodiversity and climate change.

A prototype of the online tool was extensively tested and used during the workshops in which over 1600 member dairy farmers took part in the past six months. The tested and improved version is now ready for use by FrieslandCampina’s member dairy farmers and business consultants.

The sustainability tool is a good example of  how FrieslandCampina supports its member dairy farmers in the transition to more sustainable business operations and is working to have a positive impact on climate and nature for now and for generations to come!