June 26, 2008 - U.S. dairy leaders have announced a long-term action plan to reduce milk's carbon footprint while ensuring financial viability and industry growth.

The plan, unveiled at the industry’s first Sustainability Summit for U.S. Dairy, focuses on operational efficiencies and innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies include developing new energy-efficient technologies for milk processing, designing low-carbon packaging, and setting up a carbon credit trading system for the dairy industry.

The scheme also calls for expanding the use of methane digesters - electricity converters for the methane gas released by cows - to supply more green power to local communities.

"In an era of record high energy prices and a changing global climate, we must do more," says Jerry Kozak, head of the National Milk Producers Federation. "It makes economic sense to find ways to conserve energy and reduce production costs, while recognizing that a growing number of consumers care deeply about the health and environmental impact of the products they buy."