We generated 146mt less waste across our sites in the year ending December 2023 compared to our 2020 base year. The reduction means we are tracking well against our roadmap to ensure we achieve our core target of a 35 per cent reduction in waste from our sites to landfill by 2030.

The CSR strategy is core to our business strategy and drives our environmental and social performance.

One of our targets is reducing our carbon emissions. Last year we updated our carbon reduction targets to reflect our success the previous year. We have brought forward our target of a 25 per cent reduction to 2025 and are seeking to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2035.

We have refreshed our carbon reduction roadmap to deliver on our updated target.  Our second progress report shows an increase in our overall emissions in 2023 compared with the previous year, but this is a direct reflection of us processing more milk last year which required more coal, transport and electricity. Despite this, we have plenty of initiatives in the pipeline to support sustainable long-term emissions reductions across sites.

We have also improved the efficiency and impact to the environment of our milk collection fleet with seven new trucks replacing older, less efficient trucks in the fleet.

Progress continues on our social responsibility targets related to community support and sponsorship, staff training, safety and engagement. Our staff engagement score increased to 70 per cent in 2023, compared to 50 per cent the previous year.

In 2023 we were awarded a Gold Medal by internationally renowned CSR auditor EcoVadis, and we also gained Toitῡ Enviromark Diamond Certification for the first time.

This year we are refreshing our CSR strategy to ensure targets and initiatives are focused and aligned across Westland Milk Products and its related companies in New Zealand - Canary Foods, Easiyo, Pure Nutrition and Oceania Dairy Limited. Reporting will begin based on a new CSR strategy and targets from 2025/26.

Read the full 2023 CSR Progress Report here.