Our lighthouse project "regional CO2 reduced"
WOERLE supports regional climate protection
At WOERLE in Henndorf we use the power of the sun to generate electricity and rainwater to cool our buildings. Our fresh milk comes from farms within a maximum radius of 50 km and we reward our farmers with up to €50 gross per ton of CO₂ saved.
Our goal: Together with our dairy farmers, we reduce CO every year2-Footprint of our WOERLE cheese specialties!
rewards program
When it comes to compensation, we consciously go our own way and have decided NOT to offset our emissions by purchasing climate certificates from international projects, but to be active within our own value chain and in the region. Through our project “Regional CO2 reduced" we support our dairy farmers with a CO2-Premium for the implementation of energy-efficient measures on your own farm.
Our around 450 dairy farmers from the region implement measures to avoid and save emissions in the long term on their farms and receive CO for every tonne saved or bound2 a premium payment.
However, the fact remains that cows inevitably emit climate-damaging methane during digestion, but due to our natural hay milk cultivation, less than the international average. Nevertheless, these digestive gases make up the majority of the “CO2-Rucksack” of our milk and therefore the energy efficiency measures of the “regional CO2-reduced” only approx. 0,1% of the entire WOERLE CO2footprint.
We will probably never be able to offer a climate-neutral WOERLE cheese. We don't strive for that either, also because we respect the naturalness of our cows. We as the Woerle family make an honest effort, together with our farming families, as an extended family, year after year and step by step, to reduce as much climate-damaging gases as is possible in ecological and economic harmony.
tons of CO2 saved
(Status: 03.03.2026)
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More about the CO2 elevation
Each technical improvement measure to save energy is specifically evaluated on the farm (application/usage times per day; milk quantities related; previous energy consumption, etc.), extrapolated to the useful life according to depreciation tables and calculated with the GHG emissions calculator of the Austrian Federal Environment Agency in CO2eq shown.
You don't build a climate-friendly farm overnight
Agriculture plays a crucial role in combating climate change. However, the energy transition and the transition to a zero-emission economy have a massive impact on agriculture, which faces enormous challenges. Measures to protect the climate can be more or less profitable for every company and can only be expanded gradually.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- Farmers submit energy-efficient measures to reduce CO₂ emissions on their own farm.
- External experts evaluate and optimize the ideas submitted together with the companies.
- Positively rated measures receive a bonus for each tonne of CO₂ saved or bound.
- The implementation of all measures is documented by an on-site visit to the companies, using receipts and photos.
Measures such as the purchase of a more energy-efficient milk cooling system, heat recovery from the milk, the purchase of an E-Hoftrac, thermal insulation with natural insulating materials, planting fruit trees on the cow pasture, planting hedges, using biochar to improve liquid manure, optimizing the heating system or installing a PV system -Plant and much more have been submitted.
Up to EUR 50 gross per ton We pay one of the highest prices in Austria for the CO₂ saved or bound - that is the logical decision for a future suitable for our grandchildren, for our farming families and for our best milk.
Where are we standing
Three years after the project started, we can report that the response from our dairy farmers has been great. So far have been more than 360 measures submitted for evaluation. The number of efficiency measures implemented and the amount of CO₂ emissions saved is constantly increasing. We show the current savings amount of the project transparently and to the day at the top of the page with our CO₂ savings counter (see above).
We are only at the beginning of our project and we know that there is still a long way to go. Even if it is probably far from possible to achieve climate neutrality for milk with energy savings, we are still going step by step. Because for us, every measure, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction and we are proud of every ton of CO2that we saved.
How can I
support the project?
Every purchase of a WOERLE cheese specialty not only automatically supports our "Regional CO₂ Reduced" project and thus the valuable work of our WOERLE farming families and the preservation of regional agriculture, but also makes a contribution to climate protection.
examples
Here we show some measures that have already been implemented in the companies and are constantly being updated. Wherever possible, the "on-site" visits were even carried out with e-bikes in a CO₂-friendly manner.
WOERLE and Pinzgau Milch are showing the way and reducing ammonia in agriculture
Agriculture plays a central role in reducing CO2-Emissions. In our latest research project, we are declaring war on environmentally harmful ammonia. It was developed together with our cooperation partner Pinzgau…
Successful interim report on CO2 climate protection project
About a year ago we started our project to reduce CO₂ emissions together with regional farmers. A lot has happened since then and we can draw a successful first interim balance.
WOERLE & HBLA Ursprung start sustainable research project
As part of the extensive sustainability strategy, WOERLE has now taken the next step. In addition to the farmers, the cooperation with the HBLA Ursprung also wants to target the next generation...
Woerle rewards farmers for CO₂ savings
Under the title "WOERLE continues to work", a comprehensive sustainability project for biodiversity was initiated in the Henndorf private cheese dairy in 2020. A number of measures have already been implemented since then. This year they lay the…
Awards
WOERLE's pioneering role in environmental protection, both nationally and internationally, is demonstrated by numerous awards. We received the SDG Award, which highlights local pioneers in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. WOERLE also received the Green Infrastructure Award. The award recognizes strategies from the DACH region that have a positive impact on green infrastructure. WOERLE also received the TRIGOS Award for Project “Biodiversity in Farmers’ Hands” , Austria's most prestigious award for responsible and sustainable business. For our flagship project "Regional CO2 reduced", one of the three pillars of our long-term sustainability strategy, we were awarded the Salzburg Energy Globe Award at regional level and at the same time nominated nationally for the Energy Globe Award Austria. All awards can be found here:
Scientific research
Field trials with agroforestry together with HBLA Ursprung and BOKU, Institute for Forest Growth: To the paper >
Manure research to reduce ammonia emissions using tannins or dairy residues processed by HBLA Ursprung and FH Salzburg Campus Kuchl: To the paper >
