Nestlé, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, a global pact aimed at reducing methane pollution from dairy production. The alliance, launched in December 2023, brought together companies such as Danone, Kraft Heinz, and Starbucks to measure and publish methane pollution from their dairy supply chains and outline plans for reduction. Nestlé’s decision to quit the alliance has raised concerns about the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and the effectiveness of voluntary corporate climate coalitions.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, nearly 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Agriculture is responsible for about 40% of human-caused methane, mostly from livestock. Reducing methane pollution is considered one of the fastest ways to slow global temperature rise. Nestlé’s withdrawal from the alliance could weaken international efforts to tackle methane pollution and undermine the progress made by other companies in the alliance.
Nestlé has stated that it remains committed to cutting pollution in its supply chains and achieving net zero by 2050. The company has reported a 21% reduction in methane pollution since 2018 and has announced a new partnership with the World Farmers’ Organisation to support resilience in food systems. However, the company’s decision to quit the alliance has been met with criticism, with some experts warning that it could amount to greenwashing, where corporations highlight limited environmental progress while backing away from more binding commitments.
The withdrawal of Nestlé from the alliance is not an isolated incident. Similar alliances have recently lost support from banks and other companies, raising questions about whether businesses are retreating from their public sustainability pledges. Experts stress the importance of government regulations that require measurement and disclosure of pollution, rather than relying only on voluntary industry pledges. Consumers can also play a role in promoting accountability by supporting companies that stay engaged in meaningful pollution reduction initiatives.
In response to Nestlé’s decision, the Environmental Defense Fund, which helped create the alliance, has expressed appreciation for the company’s ongoing commitment to acting on dairy emissions through its Dairy Climate Plan and Net Zero Roadmap. Other alliance members, such as Danone and Starbucks, remain committed to the methane reduction initiative. The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability efforts and the importance of government regulations in driving meaningful environmental action.