Pathways to Dairy Net Zero Drives Climate Action

Across every dairy community. Throughout every continent. The global dairy community is coming together to accelerate climate action and help reduce the sector’s impact on the planet. Learn more about this first-of-its-kind initiative.

DSF Drives Global Sustainability Insights

For more than 10 years, the Dairy Sustainability Framework (DSF) has provided insights on the sector’s sustainability progress. The DSF is the result of a global, collaborative project by the dairy sector that monitors 11 criteria covering the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social.

Study Shows Dairy’s Sustainability Strength

GDP’s April 2024 Perspective Paper focuses on research that shows when nutrition, socioeconomics and the environment are considered, semi-skimmed milk is a more sustainable choice than plant-based beverages. It also makes a case for why environmental factors alone should not determine the sustainability of a product.

Study Shows How Dairy Can Help Fight Global Hunger

A series of studies in recent years have shown the impact dairy has on the Sustainable Development Goals, including one that focused on dairy’s vital role in fighting hunger. “Dairy’s Impact on Reducing Global Hunger” details the essential role dairy products play in providing balanced, healthy and safe nutrition.

International Protein Symposium Highlights Protein Quality

More than 300 delegates – and many more virtually – attended the International Symposium on Dietary Protein for Human Health in September 2023 in Utrecht, Netherlands. GDP served on the symposium organizing committee for the event, which included multiple presentations on protein research overseen by GDP that showed the importance of animal sourced foods.

Dairy Shown to Help Prevent Fractures, Falls

When dairy foods are added to the daily diet of aged-care residents, a major study has shown they can help reduce fractures and falls. The British Medical Journal published a two-year trial led by the University of Melbourne and Austin Health that included more than 7,000 residents from several dozen elderly care facilities.

NUTRITION

As a powerful source of nutrients, dairy is recognized in most countries as one of the basic building blocks of a sustainable diet. It delivers part of the essential nutrition necessary for people to thrive.

DEVELOPMENT

What makes dairy farming truly relevant is its ability to transform lives and enable powerful, positive change. Appropriate farming practices generate a stable source of cash flow.

SUSTAINABILITY

Dairy is invested in efficient food production and the reduction of environmental impacts. The dairy sector’s role in sustainable agriculture lies at the core of the dynamic communities it creates.

SDGs

The dairy sector has the tremendous ability to bring the SDGs to life. An emphasis on an integrated approach strengthens the contribution of the sector to sustainable food security and nutrition.

The dairy sector is a large, transformative global force that has a far-reaching impact on economies, societies, and individuals.

ONE BILLION PEOPLE

have livelihoods supported by the dairy sector

600 MILLION PEOPLE

live on 133 million dairy farms around the world

NEARLY 10 PERCENT

of the world population directly depends on dairy farming

816 MILLION TONS

of milk are produced by the dairy sector annually

AMONG THE TOP 5

Milk ranking as an agricultural commodity in both quantity and value terms

44.4 LITERS OF LIQUID

dairy products are consumed per capita worldwide

DAIRY. EVERY DAY. AROUND THE WORLD.

Dairy has the power to dramatically change the livelihoods of individuals, families, and communities. It generates jobs directly on the farm, up and down the value chain, and in other local business.

ABOUT US

GDP Bulletin September / October 2024

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GDP Bulletin May / June 2024

Every day, the dairy sector brings the essentials for a better life to individuals, families, and communities all over the world.

It’s delivering the nurturing and nourishing strength that improves the nutrition and health of individual and families. It creates millions of jobs, helping to sustain and revitalize rural communities and decent livelihoods for small landholders, landless laborers and women. It’s providing children the opportunity for adequate nutrition for learning and achieving their potential. And it’s part of the delight of good food being shared at the table.

Simple facts about the dairy sector