First Milk has welcomed the new Land Sector and Removals Standard under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, saying it brings greater clarity to how agriculture measures both emissions and carbon removals.

The new global standard takes effect on 1 January 2027 and sets out how businesses should account for greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, including soil carbon. It places greater emphasis on robust, site-specific data and transparent reporting.

Commenting on the new standard, First Milk's Chief Impact Officer Mark Brooking said: "Dairy farming operates within a biological system. If we are serious about net zero, we must measure both emissions and removals properly.

"This new standard raises the bar on evidence and transparency, particularly around soil carbon. That's important for the dairy industry because credibility matters."

It also aligns with the British dairy co-operative's regenerative farming programme, an important part of its commitment to reaching net zero by 2040.

Now in its fifth year, the programme operates across approximately 100,000 hectares, with First Milk's farmer members committing to more than 300,000 regenerative interventions. 

"Our regenerative farming programme is built around six 'levers', these being the areas we believe make the biggest difference to emissions intensity and soil health," Mr Brooking explained. 

"Grazing management, sward diversity, lower carbon feed, reduced artificial fertiliser use, cow health and longevity and the management of hedges and trees. Together, these actions are designed to cut emissions intensity while strengthening soil carbon, biodiversity and farm resilience."

To date, the programme has focused on carbon removals and recognised within First Milk's milk price by a regen bonus. From April 2026, a further bonus will underline the importance of also reducing emissions. 

Based on each farm's independently assessed annual carbon footprint, the average payout will be 0.5ppl, with the opportunity to earn up to 1ppl for lower-than-average emissions intensity.

"The additional bonus indicates the environmental value created through farming systems working with nature," said Mr Brooking.

"It reflects increasing expectations from customers, retailers and Government, as well as the need to ensure emissions reduction keeps pace with carbon removals delivered through regenerative practices. 

"Removals are important, but they cannot offset rising emissions. We need to reduce emissions intensity while improving soil carbon and natural capital. That balance is what credible net zero looks like."

Alongside on-farm action, the business is investing in energy efficiency and heat recovery at its creameries and working with haulage partners to reduce transport emissions.

"The Land Sector and Removals Standard signals a more rigorous future for carbon reporting in agriculture and British dairy farmers are well placed to respond," concluded Mr Brooking.