Successful interim report on the CO2 climate protection project

Under the title "Together for a future fit for our grandchildren", we initiated a project at the beginning of 2021, which is intended to counteract the progressing climate change with the help of sustainable measures. We have set ourselves a clear goal for this. We not only want to reduce our CO₂ footprint, but also keep the maximum added value in the region so that the best milk from regional family farms will continue to be available for our cheese in the future.

We would like to achieve this goal together with the regional dairy farmers. We have therefore invited them to reduce CO₂ emissions in their companies with their own projects. And every tonne of CO₂ saved is rewarded with a generous bonus payment.

We are pleased that this sustainability project has been very well received by our highly motivated farmers. Because since the beginning of the initiative, 145 participating companies have already submitted a total of 230 measures, which have then been checked and evaluated by an external expert.

In 2021, many measures have already been implemented. Reason enough for us to draw a first positive interim balance after a year of project duration. The measures implemented so far have saved 3.340 tons of CO₂ - this value has been calculated over the guaranteed service life or duration of the individual measures. This roughly corresponds to the CO₂ emissions of driving 26 million kilometers in a car or around 660 times around the world¹.

Compared to the average CO₂ footprint per person and year, the 3.340 tons also correspond to the annual consumption of around 400 Austrians². Every measure, no matter how small, counts and is a further step on our way to more climate protection. Some projects from the previous year have been delayed due to corona-related delivery problems and will be implemented this year. With the measures planned for 2022, an estimated further 8.000 tons of CO₂ can be saved.

The list of registered projects is long and ranges from photovoltaic systems, thermal solar systems, more efficient milk cooling systems and milking systems to the optimization of heating systems, window replacement and the insulation of attic ceilings to the planting of fruit trees and hedges. The CO2-Emissions are reduced.

Through climate protection measures - in the company and on the farm - we want to reduce the CO₂ footprint of our cheese specialties step by step and thus also increase the value of the products. With the "CO₂ account for agriculture" we made a conscious decision to promote smallholder structures in the region: With € 50 per tonne of gross CO₂ not emitted, saved or newly bound, we pay the best price in Austria - that is our clear decision for a future suitable for our grandchildren, for our farming families and for the best milk.

With this project, which is unique in Austria, we are once again demonstrating our pioneering role with regard to sustainable management and awareness-raising. Further activities to achieve climate-resilient agriculture are the education and research cooperation with the HBLA Ursprung, under the direction of Dr. Konrad Steiner, scientific advisor of our sustainability projects.