March 28, 2023
Immediate Release
Efforts to Contribute to Sustainable Dairy Farming #1
Identifying factors with a high reduction effect for reducing GHG emissions

Started to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Milk Production,
the First Effort in Japan
Results showed that milk raw material purchasing and transport processes account for
91% of GHG emissions
Meiji Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Katsunari Matsuda) has considered andbegun carbon footprint of Products (CFP) calculations for its milk products using field datafrom dairy farmers. This is the first efforts in Japan to calculate CFP related to milk
production.*1 Results showed that upstream processes, raw material purchasing and transport,
account for 91%*2 of total greenhouse gas (GHG)*3 emissions.

CFP is the sum of GHG emissions produced throughout each process of the lifecycle of a
product or service, from creation to disposal, and then converting to the CO2 equivalent.
Quantitatively calculating the environmental impact of products and services and visualizing
those emissions throughout the supply chain makes it easier to identify factors with a highreduction effect.
Disclaimer: This English translation is prepared for the readers’ convenience. When there are any discrepancies between theoriginal Japanese version and English translation version, the original Japanese version always prevails.

Meiji is the first company in Japan to collect field data from dairy farmers, examine a calculation
formula, and calculate CFP for commercially available products based on international
standards. The key points of this initiative are as follows:A calculation method that references guidelines of international organizations

Calculated based on field data from dairy farmers

An unprecedented initiative by a dairy manufacturer in Japan

We referenced EPD*4, international standards, and global standards established by theInternational Dairy Federation (IDF) instead of setting internal standards for calculations.
While some companies calculate by making estimates based on industry averages and otherdatabase figures (secondary data), it is preferable to calculate CFP using actual figures(primary data) derived from the company’s supply chain. Collecting emissions data at ourplants and calculating CFP are quite difficult and the workload was heavy because we had noexperience. In addition, gathering actual figures for raw material sourcing is more difficult andneeds a lot of effort. We should work to share information with suppliers and are required
additional labor and know-how when we collect information.
Due to the cooperation of dairy farmers, we successfully gather data for Meiji Organic Milkand calculate its CFP. Results showed that upstream processes related to raw materialpurchasing and transport account for 91% of total GHG. This result is similar to the GHG
emissions in milk shown globally. We believe that the Japanese dairy farmers and the dairy
industry have realized that reducing GHG emissions is a significant and worthwhile initiative
after we calculate with actual data from dairy farmers.
As a dairy manufacturer, we will challenge ourselves to reduce GHG emissions in the dairy
industry. We will further strengthen our efforts throughout the milk supply chain by working
together with various partners in different fields of expertise.
In addition to GHG calculations, we started collaborating to create a business model using theJ-Credit Scheme.*5 The business model is to achieve both GHG emission reductions related
to dairy farming and the dairy industry and economic value creation. We will unite with dairy
farmers on various perspectives toward reducing GHG emissions. Our efforts will include
reducing methane emissions in dairy cows, a major issue related to dairy farming, and carbon
farming*6 focused on soil utilization.
These efforts will promote reducing GHG emissions in the Japanese dairy industry and boost
realizing sustainable dairy farming. We should constantly supply milk and dairy products
throughout the milk supply chain.

2Meiji Group GHG reduction goals (compared to 2019)
The Meiji Group aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Scope 1, Scope 2 (in-house emissions): 50% reduction by 2030, net zero by 2050
Scope 3 (Indirect emissions outside the company such as production, sourcing andtransport of raw materials, and transportation and disposal of products): 30% reduction by2030, net zero by 2050
See Meiji Holdings sustainability information for details.
https://www.meiji.com/global/sustainability/caring-for-the-earth/climate-change.html#positionon-climate-change*1 First in Japan to calculate CFP based on actual data from dairy farmers while also referencing global
CFP standards for the dairy sector. This global standard was prepared as a joint statement by theInternational Dairy Federation (IDF), an international dairy industry association, and the Global Dairy
Platform (GDP).
*2 Figures calculated for Meiji Organic Milk
*3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG): An atmospheric gas with heat (infrared)-absorbing characteristics.
Increases in GHG causes surface temperatures to rise, making GHG a main cause of global warming
and the resulting extreme weather. The main GHG increasing as a result of human activities arecarbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and CFCs. The magnitude of thegreenhouse effect varies depending on the gas. For example, CH4 is said to have a greenhouseeffect 25 times that of CO2, and N2O about 300 times that of CO2 (Reference: Ministry of theEnvironment website).

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*4 EPD (Environmental Product Declaration): A Type III environmental declaration that discloses
product environmental information based on life cycle assessments (LCA)*5 J-Credit Scheme: A scheme through which the government certifies as credits the amount of CO2emissions reduced through the adoption of energy-saving equipment, the use of renewable energy,
and the amount of CO2 absorbed through appropriate forest management. This scheme integrates
the domestic credit scheme and the offset credit scheme in a developmental manner, and is operated
by the government. Credits generated through the J-Credit Scheme can be used for various
purposes, including achieving the goals outlined in the Keidanren Carbon Neutral Action Plan as well
as for carbon offsetting (Reference: J-Credit Scheme website).
*6 Carbon Farming: A farming method that aims to reduce GHG emissions by capturing atmospheric
CO2 in farmland soil to improve soil quality. This is also referred to as regenerative agriculture.
(Reference: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website)#####4