Top Dairy and Coffee Brands Delay Action on Methane Emissions

Despite their vast environmental footprints, only two of the world’s leading dairy producers and coffee chains have made credible strides in cutting methane emissions—this, according to a sharp new exposé titled "Running Latte" published by the Changing Markets Foundation.

The report casts a wide net, assessing 20 major companies across Europe and North America, with combined revenues topping $420 billion. These industry giants are not fringe players—they sit at the heart of the dairy supply chain, contributing roughly 8% of global methane emissions. For context, methane is more than 80 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years, making it one of the fastest levers to slow climate change. Yet, alarmingly, most companies in the report appear asleep at the wheel.

Let’s break it down.

Of the 20 companies evaluated, only six even bothered to respond meaningfully to the Foundation’s outreach. These included Arla, Bel Group, Danone, DMK, FrieslandCampina, and Saputo. Industry behemoths like Starbucks and Kraft Heinz? Radio silence.

Of the entire list, just six companies track methane emissions directly, and only four publish that data. That means the majority are either not measuring their methane output or choosing not to disclose it—both red flags in the current climate emergency.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Eighteen of the 20 companies scored under 50 out of 100 points on a scale that measured their methane accounting practices, emission targets, reporting transparency, and concrete reduction plans.

Danone emerged as the clear leader, not because it’s doing everything right, but because it’s the only company with a specific, time-bound target to cut methane and a strategy to get there. Its score? 59 out of 100. Second place went to General Mills with 53.5—decent effort, though it lacks a methane-specific plan. Nestlé and Arla tied for third with 49 points each. Notably, Nestlé is the only company openly supporting reduced public dairy consumption. However, it hasn’t pledged to lower its dairy sales.

Changing Markets’ chief executive Nusa Urbancic said: “The near-total absence of methane-specific targets and credible action plans sends a clear signal: companies are turning a blind eye to emissions of one of the most potent and solvable drivers of global heating.”

Coffee Chains: Even Worse

The situation is grim among global coffee chains. Dunkin’ received a zero—no targets, reporting, or action. And Starbucks? Despite reportedly using 750 million litres of dairy milk annually in the U.S. alone, it has failed to release any methane-specific strategy. According to the report’s estimate, dairy is Starbucks’ single largest emissions source.

The Illusion of Progress

At COP28, the launch of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA) seemed like a step forward. However, the report reveals that the real impact has been minimal. Of the eight original DMAA members, only three had set methane reduction targets as of April 2025. While the Alliance requires annual disclosures and action plans, compliance has been spotty.

This week, DMAA announced three new members, bringing the total to 11. Encouragingly, some of them have since released their emissions data and strategies, but many still fall short of what's needed.

PR Over Progress

Perhaps the most damning insight from the report is that companies are pouring more money into PR campaigns than into actual methane mitigation. The focus remains heavily tilted toward tech “fixes” like feed additives or biogas systems—measures that treat symptoms, not root causes.

Urbancic added: “Our audit shows that fine words from business and a few voluntary actions are little more than hot air. Governments must finally grab the bull by the horns and set science-based methane cuts for the agricultural sector.”

This approach, the report warns, enables "agricultural exceptionalism"—a troubling double standard where agriculture evades the strict climate mandates imposed on sectors like energy and transport. Meanwhile, more than 150 governments have signed the Global Methane Pledge, aiming for a 30% reduction by 2030. But many are laser-focused on fossil fuels, ignoring the dairy industry altogether.

What Needs to Happen

The Changing Markets Foundation calls for urgent, measurable action:

• Dairy companies must commit to cutting methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, aligning with the global pledge.

• Coffee chains should price alternative milks equally to encourage sustainable consumer choices.

Without swift and systemic change, the sector risks becoming a major stumbling block in the fight against climate change.