Launch of the unique pilot project for CO2 compensation in the company's own value chain
Taking off on the "ecological path": Even against the background of the Paris Climate Agreement and the achievement of the 1.5-degree target, Andechser Molkerei Scheitz is taking the path of consistent CO2 reduction, in which CO2 emissions are avoided as far as possible and CO2 is also bound regionally, visibly and within the value chain. The pioneering "KlimaBauer" (Climate Farmers) project was initiated for this purpose, as part of which the organic dairy farmers develop and implement measures to avoid and bind CO2 with the support of Andechser Molkerei Scheitz. Managing Director Barbara Scheitz: "As a company committed to sustainability, with this pilot project we are investing in the visible offsetting of CO2 emissions in our own value chain, which will be accessible to the entire economy in the future."
Climate protection at the site - avoiding CO2 emissions
Andechser Molkerei Scheitz has been certified in accordance with the EU ECO audit for over 25 years. The organic dairy in Andechs utilises state-of-the-art technology with the help of an energy management system. The structural developments, such as the high-bay warehouse with administration building (2015) and the new milk filling station (2019), were implemented in accordance with the latest technical standards with an efficient energy-saving concept. A compressed air cogeneration plant and a combined heat and power unit (2020) enable further significant energy and CO2 savings. The additional electricity required has been 100% green electricity since 2008.
'Climate Farmers' pilot project - offsetting CO2 regionally with humus cultivation
When it comes to offsetting, Andechser Molkerei Scheitz is consciously going its own way and has decided to be active within its own value chain and in the region. In an "Andechs Climate Pact" between Andechser Molkerei Scheitz as the initiator and the ANDECHSER NATUR organic dairy farmers selected for the pilot phase as "climate farmers", the goal of CO2 compensation in the value chain is set out. In concrete terms, this means that at all stages of production, both in the dairy and with the organic dairy farmers on site, the avoidance of the release and binding of CO2 is being developed and tested. At the beginning, the number of tonnes of CO2 that each 'Climate Farmer' is expected to be able to save on his farm is estimated by an expert. On this basis, Andechser Molkerei Scheitz pays an annual advance to each "ClimateFarmer". After two years, an expert estimate of what has actually been achieved on the farm is made on the basis of the farm data, and again at the end of the five-year term. Andechser Molkerei Scheitz supports the work of the 'Climate Farmers' by paying ten euros for every tonne of CO2 that is saved or avoided. The most important measure in the context of organic farming is building up humus, which guarantees fertile soil and also offers valuable potential for additional and permanent carbon sequestration in the soil. The more humus is built up, the more carbon is stored in the soil. The regional compensation of CO2 by the organic dairy farmers who supply their organic milk to Andechser Molkerei Scheitz is therefore an elementary component of the entire project. The 'Climate Farmers' project is entering into an intergenerational contract: in addition to promoting visible measures to combat the greenhouse effect, it is securing fertile and productive soils for future generations. "We want to show that social and ecological achievements and challenges are also closely linked in agriculture. Organic farming is part of the solution for climate protection. With regional CO2 offsetting as part of our Andechs Climate Pact, we are demonstrating in a unique pilot project that it is possible to bind CO2 in our own value chain," says Scheitz.
All information on the 'Climate Farmers' initiative can be found at www.Klimabauer.de
