Launched in October 2009, the Global Dairy Agenda for Action (GDAA) committed the dairy industry to actively reducing GHG emissions and also took the opportunity to profile the efforts of the sector to reduce GHG emissions throughout the value chain. The Commitment also involved the development of ‘tools’ that supported emission reduction strategies in a way that was environmentally sound, economically viable and socially responsible. 

The GDAA provides governance for the global dairy sector’s efforts in addressing its sustainability challenges has now developed a framework to provide overarching goals and alignment of the sector’s actions globally on the path to sustainability: the Dairy Sustainability Framework (DSF).

The DSF will enable the GDAA to take a holistic approach to sustainability through a common language, alignment of international sustainability activity and through this generate a common sustainability commitment that can be expressed at a global level, but also regional, national and organizational levels. DSF recently became a Partner in GFAR.

In an effort to align the dairy industries of Asia with the GDAA and the DSF, the Dairy Asia initiative was launched a year ago and through its members has achieved great things already. The Dairy Asia Sustainability Framework has established its own set of 10 Strategic Objectives that align with both the Global Dairy Sustainability Framework Criteria and importantly the SDGs. 

The ‘Focal Points’ (lead organisation within a member country) of the thirteen Asian countries who are members of the Dairy Asia initiative, met in Bangkok in March for a two day workshop. Each member came to the meeting having established a local multi-stakeholder group and conducted meetings, to report in their top three priorities for their country.

Though some slight variations, attendees were pleased to work with each of these Focal Points and see the priority synergies between what are often quite diverse countries within the Dairy Asia network. The knowledge gained from this exercise alone is invaluable in sharing, developing and implementing projects to address the identified priorities.

Already within the Dairy Asia network there is a genetics working group as genetic gain is seen as essential to increasing productivity and ultimately profitability – a high priority area for the region.

The DSF is now formally part of the Dairy Asia Steering Committee and two members of the Dairy Asia Steering Committee will be joining the existing DSF Governors to ensure that future DSF developments considers the needs and priorities of the Asian region also.

This post is adapted from news originally appearing in DSF's March 2017 Newsletter. 

To learn more about the Dairy Sustainability Framework, click here. 

Photo credit: Dairy Asia