Nestlé, the Swiss food and beverage giant behind brands such as Nespresso and Nesquik, has withdrawn from a global initiative aimed at tackling methane emissions in the dairy sector.
The Dairy Methane Action Alliance, launched in 2023 by the Environmental Defense Fund, brought together leading dairy producers including Danone, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and Lactalis USA. Nestlé was among its founding members.
Confirming the move, a Nestlé spokesperson said the decision followed a routine review of the company’s participation in external initiatives.
“As part of this process, we have decided to discontinue our membership of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance,” the spokesperson said. “We appreciate the Alliance’s ongoing work on methane emissions reductions in the dairy industry.”
Nestlé emphasised that the decision does not reflect a shift in its climate commitments. The company said its greenhouse gas emissions were 21% lower in 2024 than in 2018, and it remains committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
“Nestlé remains steadfast in delivering against the objectives in our Dairy Climate Plan and Net Zero Roadmap,” the spokesperson added. “These strategies continue to guide our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, throughout our supply chain.”
The withdrawal comes as global food companies face mounting pressure to curb their environmental footprint amid rising demand and complex supply chains. Some, including PepsiCo, have recently scaled back or revised climate goals, citing economic and regulatory hurdles. Coca-Cola, Unilever, Mars and Colgate-Palmolive have also acknowledged delays in meeting packaging sustainability targets.
