OUR COMMITMENTS

TOWARD A MORE SUSTAINABLE DAIRY VALUE CHAIN

1 billion liters of milk collected from 1,200 producers across 9 dairy regions worldwide—our dairy upstream is at the core of our historic business. That’s why we’re deeply committed to building strong, long-term partnerships with our producers partners: giving them visibility on milk prices and volumes to help them plan for the future, and providing the resources and training they need to adopt new practices. Because this sector carries significant environmental and social impact in many local communities around the world, supporting its transformation is a responsibility we fully embrace.

1 200+

dairy producers, including 700 French farmers partnered with ARPO

100%

of fresh milk collected for our products will come from farms transitioning to regenerative agriculture by 2030

55%

of our carbon footprint is linked to fresh milk collection and dairy raw materials

PARTNERING WITH WWF FRANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DAIRY PRODUCTION

Bel has renewed its Dairy Upstream Charter, co-signed in 2018 with WWF France, reaffirming its commitment to a more sustainable milk production centered around three pillars: partnering producers, animal welfare, and regenerative agriculture.

With action plans tailored to local realities and concrete goals, this charter supports the decarbonization path validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Our key objectives:

  •  Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2035, compared to 2017 levels.
  •  Cut emissions from milk production by 50% by 2035, compared to 2017 (in equivalent carbon intensity). 

These commitments are part of our ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

OUR MILK PRODUCING PARTNERS

As the first link in our value chain, dairy producers are more than just suppliers—they are true partners. Bel favors long-term contractual relationships to support their economic viability, offering clear visibility on prices and volumes.

We are committed to transitioning agricultural practices and supporting the future of young farmers through training and a "generational renewal" program that will be implemented in all countries starting in 2025. Tailored financial solutions further strengthen this support.

In France, for the past seven years, Groupe Bel and the Association of West Bel Milk Producers (APBO) have been agreeing on a fairer milk price and more sustainable farming practices, benefiting 700 partner farms.

MEETING WITH THE DAIRY PRODUCERS OF APBO

Bel x APBO Agreement: Acting Together for a More Profitable and Low-Carbon Dairy Sector
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ANIMAL WELFARE

Bel places animal welfare and local sourcing at the heart of its approach for sustainable dairy production. In collaboration with Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), we have established a dedicated charter, monitored by an independent organization

Our concrete commitments:

  • Promoting cow grazing wherever possible—depending on climate, available pastureland, and local pastoral traditions—especially in regions like France and the Azores.
  • D Defining what sustainable animal feed means in each country (in terms of composition and traceability), and implementing action plans to increase the share of locally sourced feed in the animals’ diets.

ACCELERATE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Bel rolls out regenerative farming initiatives in various regions around the world, employing innovative practices validated by experts. The goal: to tailor these solutions to local realities, ensuring raw material production that is sustainable, environmentally respectful, and socially viable.

Pilot projects are underway:

  • in the United States with the Truterra® program, in partnership with the Land O’Lakes cooperative,
  • in France and Portugal, with the support of the Earthworm Foundation.

By 2030, Bel aims to source 100% of its milk from farms transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

> Our commitments to regenerative agriculture

DAIRY SOURCING CHARTER

TOWARD A LOW-CARBON DAIRY SECTOR

More than ever, our responsibility lies in supporting dairy producers through long-term partnerships working together to build a more sustainable dairy sector. A collective commitment that contributes to our decarbonization efforts.

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