Danone Nearly Hits 2030 Methane Goal Five Years Early

Danone is about to achieve something remarkable: cutting methane emissions from its dairy operations nearly half a decade ahead of its 2030 deadline.

The French food company stands out in a new survey of 23 major coffee and dairy brands, where most are barely getting started on tackling methane. This greenhouse gas heats the planet far faster than carbon dioxide and causes about half of all warming to date.

Only three companies out of 23 surveyed have even set targets to reduce methane by 2030. Danone leads the pack, followed by General Mills and Dutch cooperative FrieslandCampina, which have broader dairy emissions goals that include methane.

Starbucks is making waves in the coffee world as the only major chain disclosing methane emissions and publishing an action plan. The company faces challenges though, with dairy-related emissions staying flat since 2019.

The wins matter because methane cuts offer one of the fastest ways to slow global warming right now. Unlike carbon dioxide regulations that increasingly bind power plants and factories, food companies face almost no legal requirements to reduce methane.

"Companies acting can strengthen investor confidence and get ahead of growing regulatory and disclosure pressures," said Nusa Urbancic, CEO of the Changing Markets Foundation, which conducted the survey. Norway's massive government pension fund already expects its portfolio companies to commit to methane targets.

The Ripple Effect

When industry leaders prove methane reduction is achievable, it changes what's possible across the entire food sector. Danone's near-term success shows dairy companies don't need to wait decades to make meaningful progress on climate.

The Dairy Methane Action Alliance, led by the Environmental Defense Fund and Ceres, now helps companies start their own reduction journeys. Members commit to disclosing emissions as a first step toward creating action plans.

Even laggards may soon feel pressure to catch up. Investors and regulators are paying closer attention to agricultural methane, and companies without targets risk looking out of touch as climate expectations rise.

The best news? We already know how to cut these emissions through better farming practices and feed interventions. Now it's just a matter of more companies following the leaders who are proving it works.