Blended
Towards Net-Zero Dairy Supply Chains
Many dairy companies want to lower their carbon footprint. Achieving this goal requires not only a solid strategy or clever use of innovations, but also concerted action. A tremendous challenge, which is why this course offers you the knowledge and tools you need to start addressing this challenge effectively. Join Wageningen Academy and Interfood, as industry sponsor, in this course to move towards a net-zero dairy supply chain.
Registration is not open for this course. You can already show your interest.
The information on this page refers to the 2024 edition.
Target audience
Sustainability managers and CSR advisors from processing companies, suppliers, trade associations, industry organisations and retail. Consultants and other advisors in this sector are also welcome, as well as financials, government employees and others working in close relation with companies in the dairy sector.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- Assess the advantages and disadvantages of the latest innovations to reduce carbon emissions along all steps in dairy production and processing.
- Communicate and implement shorter and longer term adaptations to reduce carbon emissions according to your own action plan.
Programme
This course consists of three parts. Part 1 focuses on impacts along the dairy chain to enable you to identify hotspots. Part 2 consists of online modules that focus on the wealth of innovations that can contribute to lower emissions. These modules consist of knowledge clips and background materials, allowing you to zoom in on the most relevant innovations for you. Part 3 focuses on the keys to successful implementation: stakeholder engagement, consumer perspectives and business models. Throughout this course, there will be group work and an individual assignment to help you develop a course of action for your own organisation. There will be contributions from several hosts and speakers from the agro industry, like Nestlé, Friesland Campina, PPP Agro and Danone.
Block 1, 15 - 16 April 2024: Why?
On-site session of 1.5 days (Module 1). This will be based at WUR campus, and includes presentations, as well as inspiring visits.
Block 2, 16 April – 25 June 2024, online study (5x 6 hours): How?
Online content in which five critical how-to-reduce-emissions themes are studied over two weeks each. The five modules are:
- Module 2: 16 – 30 April, Farm systems & animal management (online meeting: Tuesday 30 April, 12:00-15:00)
- Module 3: 1-21 May, Feed & feed management (online meeting: Tuesday 21 May, 12:00-15:00)
- Module 4: 15-28 May, Manure management (online meeting: Tuesday 28 May, 12:00-15:00)
- Module 5: 29 May – 11 June, Dairy processing & emission reduction (online meeting: Tuesday 11 June, 12:00-15:00)
- Module 6: 12-25 June, Changing attitude & behaviours (online meeting: Tuesday 25 June , 12:00-15:00 )
Block 3, 2 - 3 July 2024: Bringing it all together
On-site session of 1.5 days (Module 7), in which the six themes come together in a final overall perspective on reduction of carbon emissions in the whole dairy supply chain. This will take place at the DAIRY Campus near Leeuwarden.
Study hours
- Block 1: 1.5 days on-site
- Block 2: 30 hours (= 5x (3 hours homework + 3 hours online meeting = 6) hours
- Block 3: 1.5 days on-site
Accommodation
Participants who prefer one or more overnights stay need to make their own hotel reservations.
For Block 1 (Wageningen Campus), we recommend Hotel WICC or Fletcher Hotel, but there are more hotels nearby.
For Block 3 (Dairy Campus, Leeuwarden) we recommend WestCord WTC Hotel or Hotel Van der Valk, among others.
Transport to field visits
We supply bus-transport back and forth from the campus to the field visits. Participants living near Nijmegen may prefer to drive directly to the farms we plan to visit on 16 April. Please take into account that after those visits, the programme continues at Wageningen Campus.
Download the flyer for the full programme.
Certification
Based on your attendance, you will receive a certificate after the programme is finished.
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Stay informed
How is it possible that some smaller players surpass big corporations? Are there smart acquisition options, or can an altered perspective yield benefits? Examples are used to help participants gain insight into which solutions work.