Nestlé has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, a global initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions from dairy farming. The alliance, launched in December 2023, includes companies such as Danone, Kraft Heinz, and Starbucks, committed to measuring and cutting dairy-related methane emissions.
While Nestlé gave no reason for its decision, it reaffirmed its commitment to greenhouse gas reduction and its net-zero 2050 target. The company said it regularly reviews memberships of external organisations and had decided to discontinue its participation. On Thursday, Nestlé announced a partnership with the World Farmers’ Organisation to strengthen food system resilience against climate change. The move highlights a shift towards direct engagement with farmers rather than alliance-based climate action.
According to its 2024 non-financial report, Nestlé reduced methane emissions by 21% compared with 2018. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that methane is nearly 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, with agriculture accounting for around 40% of human-caused methane emissions.
The Environmental Defence Fund (EDF), which co-launched the alliance, confirmed Nestlé’s withdrawal but acknowledged its continued work on dairy emissions through its Dairy Climate Plan and Net Zero Roadmap.
Nestlé’s exit underscores shifting dynamics in corporate climate cooperation, as major firms reassess strategies to balance sustainability goals with operational autonomy.