Key facts
- Only three of 23 ranked dairy and coffee companies have published methane reduction targets for 2030.
- Danone leads the rankings for methane performance, followed by General Mills and Starbucks.
- Danone is the only company aligned with the Global Methane Pledge target of a 30% reduction by 2030.
- Agriculture accounts for 42% of anthropogenic methane emissions.
- Methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 and contributes significantly to global heating.
A report by The Changing Markets Foundation has found that most major food companies are significantly lagging in their efforts to reduce methane emissions. Out of 23 dairy and coffee companies ranked across Europe and North America, only three have published methane reduction targets for 2030. Danone emerged as the leader in methane performance, with 75.5 points, followed by General Mills (74.5 points) and Starbucks (65 points). The report highlights that while 91% of companies acknowledge the link between livestock and climate change, concrete action and target setting are insufficient. Danone is the sole company on track to meet the Global Methane Pledge target of a 30% reduction by 2030, having already achieved nearly that level. Other companies reporting reductions include Le Groupe Bel (23%) and Nestle (20.1%), though Nestle's methodology was not detailed. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas 80 times more powerful than CO2, is largely emitted by the agriculture sector, which accounts for 42% of anthropogenic methane emissions. In contrast, Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency projects potential agri-sector emission reductions of up to 19% based on planned climate policies.