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Increasing transparency in the leather industry while focusing on sustainability and animal welfare

The leather industry faces significant challenges regarding documentation on sustainability and the lack of transparency throughout the value chain. With concerns rising over the origin of leather, animal welfare and its environmental impact, SPOOR embarked on a mission to challenge the status quo through technologies ensuring full traceability and documentation of animal welfare and sustainability.

SPOOR introduced a solution providing Nordic bovine leather with full traceability. The leather originates from animals used for food production, utilizing the remaining hide as an input for leather production. Moreover, the leather is sourced from cows in Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Germany known for being countries with high animal welfare.

Implementing a Comprehensive Tracking System
Tracking each step in the leather production process, makes it possible to identify which areas could be improved and where emissions could be reduced. Each hide is marked with a unique reference linked to the individual ear tag of the cattle, through advanced laser technology. This makes it possible to track the leather from farm to final product, identifying the exact cow it came from. This print acts as a unique reference, a product passport, which will follow the hide.

Each hide is marked with a unique reference linked to the individual ear tag of the cattle, through advanced laser technology

This innovative approach enables the gathering of data regarding the origins of the leather to increase animal welfare while reducing climate impact associated with each hide.

Reducing Environmental Footprints through Close Collaboration
A collaboration with the Swedish outdoor-shoe brand Icebug, has led to large improvements in the footprints of their shoes. After Icebug shifted to collaborating with SPOOR, they reduced their carbon emissions by 50%, highlighting the benefits of embracing traceable Scandinavian leather supported by data to reach more sustainable leather sources.

Today, SPOOR collaborates closely with 17 international brands within fashion, furniture, and interior design, aiming to produce transparent products with traceable origins.

SPOOR is part of Scan-Hide which is Denmark’s last remaining tannery.

Climate measurement tool implemented across all Danish dairy farmers

Denmark is the first country in the world where all dairy farmers use the same Climate Check model to report and work on initiatives reducing their climate impact.

The industry organization Danish Dairy Board has made a shared industry model called for climate checks on farms available to all dairies in Denmark. This is a science based evaluation of the carbon foot print of each farms production of raw milk. These climate checks are central in the entire Danish dairy industry’s joint efforts to reduce the sectors climate footprint from farm and dairy to refrigerated counter.

The measurement tool, called Mejeribrugets Klimatjek, is based on the Science Based Targets, the International Dairy Federation’s Guideline on “A common carbon footprint approach for the dairy sector” and Arla’s Climate Check model. This industry standard is a world-first initiative and a huge testament to the willingness to collaborate and the shared goal of climate action in the Danish dairy sector.

Since 2022, all Danish Arla-farmers, making up most Danish dairy farmers, have been using a Climate Check model developed internally by Arla. This model aims at making reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from farms measurable and quantifiable.

The Climate Check model, which is a digital tool, works by letting the farmer fill in a host of information about their farm and how they run it, e.g. their use of feed, manure handling, animal husbandry and agricultural activities. The tool then estimates, based on science-based parameters, how well the farm is scoring in relation to its climate footprint. The Climate Checks are 3rd party evaluated. Farmers also receive advise on which actions could be taken to further reduce carbon footprint.

Now, the rest of Danish dairy farmers, which consist of approximately 300 organic as well as conventional farms, are able to access a digital climate check platform, a 1:1 copy of the Arla model established and rolled out by the Danish Dairy Board (Mejeriforeningen) as an industry tool.

All farmers are in total control of their own collected data, and they may use it as they please in collaboration with their individual dairies.

Once filled out and enrolled in the program, every single Danish farmer will once a year receive a third-party audit, a qualified climate advisor estimating the potentials for improvements across all reported activities.

A core part of the model, enabled by its scale, is the opportunity for farmers to benchmark the carbon footprint of their specific milk production across a pool of comparable farmers. Also, each dairy receives data from its milk suppliers.

By implementing the industry model for climate checks on farms, for the first time in world history, all dairy companies sourcing raw milk in a single country, from the smaller dairy with 5 farmer owners and up to Arla with 1900 Danish farmer owner, are using the same tool to document and drive reductions in emissions from milk production.

The climate goal of Danish dairy farming is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement from all three Scopes – i.e. a 35% reduction from Scope 1 + 2 in the period 2022–2030. The Danish Dairy Association has 30 members, of which 12 dairies receive raw milk directly from dairy farmers. These 12 dairies, of which some are cooperatives, some privately owned, process approximately 5.6 billion kilos of milk per year, equal to the total Danish raw milk production.

Dietary guidelines provide health and climate benefits

The official dietary guidelines, encouraged by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, not only guide Danes on how to eat healthier but also on how to consume more climate-friendly foods.

On average, Danes emit eight kilograms of CO2 daily through the consumption of food and beverages, resulting in an approximate annual emission of three tons of CO2 per person. While many people are aware of how to balance a healthy diet, awareness of climate-friendly foods is still lagging. Consequently, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has provided dietary guidelines focusing on promoting both healthy and climate-friendly diets for the Danish population.

What is healthy for the human body is generally also healthy for the planet. Therefore, the guidelines strongly encourage Danes to consume foods with a lower climate impact, including more legumes, vegetables, and fruit while reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products.

THe guidelines can assist in reducing CO2 emissions by 35% through a reduction in meat consumption

Small Changes Can Lead to Big CO2 Reductions

The official dietary guidelines align with the government’s ambition to reduce the climate footprint by 70% by 2030. Health and sustainability have long been linked, giving rise to new global trends in the food industry, such as new protein sources and foods without trans-fat or with lower sugar or salt content. At the same time, more consumers are seeking foods enriched with nutrients that can improve health and well-being throughout life.

According to the Technical University of Denmark, the guidelines provided by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration can assist in reducing CO2 emissions by 35% through a reduction in meat consumption. The potential for adjusting the eating habits of Danes is therefore significant, and a small change in one’s diet can make a considerable difference for the climate.

New customer program helps reduce scope 3 emissions in the dairy sector

A new Arla program will help companies reduce their scope 3 emissions while increasing the motivation for on-farm emission reductions.

Many companies are under increasing pressure to successfully reduce their scope 3 emissions to successfully meet the requirements for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). For many retail and foodservice companies, the dairy industry is responsible for a significant portion of their scope 3 emissions, and as a result are dependent on the sustainability efforts performed by the farmers.

To help motivate the sustainability initiatives on the farms, Arla launched the Climate Check program together with the Sustainability Incentive Model, rewarding Arla farmers that invested in sustainable improvements on their farms. Through large data collection, the farmers are able to successfully earn points and as a result gain additional value per liter of milk produced.

An investment in future emission reductions 

The data collected by Arla, will now be accessible to companies seeking to address their scope 3 emissions. By participating in this collaboration, companies support the acceleration of sustainability initiatives on the Arla farms, leading to further emission reductions. Such reductions are essential to meet the companies’ own SBTi goals and will ultimately be linked to corporate reporting requirements.

A collaborative effort that does not simply benefit the environment but supports companies in reaching their sustainability goals while investing in a more sustainable dairy industry.

The program will first be launched in the UK, before being available in other countries during 2024.

A collaborative effort that benefits the environment and supports companies in reaching their sustainability goals

 

Financing the global transition to regenerative agriculture

Agreena is unlocking the power of soil carbon removals and natural capital to help farmers finance their transition to regenerative agriculture.

The agricultural industry is vital for sustaining a global population, but it’s also responsible for more than a quarter of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

By shifting to regenerative agriculture, farmers can turn their land into carbon sinks by actively removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also promises increased long-term yields and improved soil health.

However, switching to regenerative agriculture incurs costs for farmers due to new farming practices. With low profit margins and limited room to invest, due to factors such as price volatility and increased input costs, the transition to regenerative agriculture is a financial risk for more farmers.

The soil-carbon solution

Agreena’s soil carbon programme provides a solution that delivers for farmers, food, nature and our climate.

Farmers in the AgreenaCarbon programme transition to regenerative agriculture by reducing tillage, using organic fertilisers, and optimising cover crops and residue management. With a methodology aligned to IPCC guidelines and leading international voluntary carbon market standards, Agreena leverages cutting-edge science and technology, coupled with soil sampling and field data, to measure, report and verify GHG reductions and CO2 removals.

Agreena’s internationally accredited and third-party validated programme then issues verified, nature-based, carbon credits which can be sold on the voluntary carbon market. This provides a vital income stream for farmers and high-integrity carbon credits for companies wishing to support farmers’ green transition while reaching their own ESG goals.

A soil-carbon programme that is delivering for farmers, soils and climate

A two million hectare impact
More than 1,000 European farmers have joined the AgreenaCarbon platform and over two million hectares of farmland is now transitioning to regenerative agriculture. The first two annual carbon harvests of the programme have resulted in more than 600,000 tonnes of GHG removals, and millions of euros paid out to participating farmers.

Agreena’s soil carbon programme is sowing the seeds of sustainable change in agriculture – combating climate change and strengthening the resilience of our food systems.

Robot lightens burden on slaughterhouse workers

Automating processes to make employees switch from performing manual work to operating a robot will result in a better working environment and more attractive to new generations of operators to the industry. 

Slaughterhouse work is physically demanding and monotonous repetitive work performed at a fast pace is one of the major causes of occupational ill health such as osteoarthritis, back problems and muscle injuries. 

Every week, more than 30,000 pigs are slaughtered at Danish Crown in Ringsted, with approximately 800 employees cutting, pushing, lifting and packing from morning to afternoon as part of a highly efficient process. Therefore, the industry is currently working on improving occupational health and safety at the slaughterhouses. 

Let the robot do the heavy job 

Meat Mover is a robot equipped with a vacuum gripper with a suction cup and a vision system that can instantly provide the robot with images of the product, enabling it to achieve optimum grip when picking up the product. The robot can be installed in different parts of the production line at Danish Crown in Ringsted the robot is located at the end of a conveyor belt in the packing area, where it is surrounded by a safety net.  

The Meat Mover is one of the first in a series of a new generation of automatic systems based on industrial robots designed for this type of task. It was developed for Danish Crown by Danish Meat Research Institute, a part of the Danish Technological Institute.  

Performs the lifting work of five employees 

Meat Mover saves slaughterhouse operators at Danish Crown in Ringsted from having to lift thousands of kilos of meat every day. Specially trained service operators ensure that the robot is operational during the entire production process.  

Every hour, the fully automatic robot lifts up to 1,500 packed meat products such as pork loin and belly off the conveyor belt and places them in a box, which is then removed by an operator. 

Before, five operators would take it in turns every day to stand and pack the products. Now the robot has taken over the lifting work performed by five employees. 

Smart irrigation management saves water and boosts plant health

To make water usage in agriculture more sustainable, SoilSense has developed a soil sensor system that provides real-time insights on how to manage irrigation intelligently across all crops.

 Water scarcity is an increasing problem on every continent. By 2025 more than half of the global population may be residing in water-scarce regions. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water globally, accounting for 72% of freshwater used.

This calls for action to optimize our irrigation systems so water is used more intelligently. While over-irrigation leads to loss of nutrients and can cause root rot, water deficit leads to reduced yield potential and plant stress, increasing the impact of diseases.

Smart irrigation management

SoilSense has developed a smart sensor system that allows for digital monitoring of irrigation across all crops and all soil types. This contributes to UN Goals: Zero hunger (2), Clean water (6), and Responsible consumption and production (12).

The SoilSense system uses scientifically validated sensors to measure the soil’s water content near the plant’s roots with high accuracy. An algorithm converts the data to reveal ‘plant-available-water’ – how much water is available to the plant at any given time.

These insights are sent to the farmers or irrigation managers on their computer or mobile device and are visualized in a way that is easy to understand and act upon. In cases of over-irrigation or water deficit, the farmers are alerted directly on any devices selected.

SoilSense sensors are developed to work in all soil types and the intelligent platform automatically sets the correct wilting point and watering limits of the specific crop. This makes it easy to install and move sensors as needed.

SoilSense is used today by a wide range of customers such as orchard managers, greenhouse growers, open-field crop farmers, and municipal auspices as well as park and garden managers. The product is currently in use in a wide range of environments from cold Scandinavia to the Peruvian desert.

Saving water resources and increasing yield

Results from SoilSense’s customers in Denmark show an increase in yield of 20-25% in potatoes as a result of optimized irrigation. Scientific studies show that targeted watering based on sensor data can reduce water consumption by up to 45-50 % for fruit and vegetables (source: EPRS – European Parliamentary Research Service).

Targeted watering based on sensor data can reduce water consumption by up to 45-50%

Collaboration will bake the first climate-neutral bread

Danish consumers could become the first to buy climate-neutral oats and ryebread when the results of a cross-sector project arrive in supermarkets in a few years’ time. Led by SEGES Innovation and involving partners from the entire food value chain, Project Zero is combining exsisting technologies to bring climate-neutral food products from farm to table.

One of the key objectives is to demonstrate that climate neutrality and profitability can go hand in hand in food production.

The three-year project has three primary tools in focus – biochar, green ammonia and nitrification inhibitors. Biochar will be produced from oat and rye straw by pyrolysis, providing a stable carbon source when returned to the soil. Green ammonia, produced from wind and solar energy, will serve as a nitrogen fertiliser, while nitrification inhibitors will be used to suppress emissions of nitrous oxide, reducing the climate impact of fertilisation.

Project Zero is combining existing technologies to bring climate-neutral food products from farm to table

Life cycle assessments of the oats and ryebread will be conducted to verify their climate neutrality.

In addition to SEGES Innovation, the project partners are COOP, Kohberg, Valsemøllen, Aarhus University, Stiesdal SkyClean, Skovgaard Energy, BASF, Bureau Veritas, Fjordland and Innovation Centre for Organic Farming. The Green Development and Demonstration Program under the Danish Agricultural Agency has provided funding for the project, which runs until December 2025.

A new way of making unlimited protein-based feed

Unibio has developed a technology that can produce almost unlimited amounts of protein through fermentation. This ensures a clean and sustainable product approved as feed for animal-, fish- and petfood.

With the world’s population growing and conventional food ingredients becoming increasingly scarce, we need to improve food security. This, coupled with a growing demand for more sustainable sources, requires us to rethink how today’s food is produced.

Unlimited protein production

The Danish protein-company Unibio has developed a technology that can produce almost unlimited amounts of protein through fermentation – replicating a natural process happening every day.

Through fermentation, Uniprotein® – a highly concentrated and nutritious protein – is derived and can be used as a direct ingredient in petfood and in diets for animals and fish. Uniprotein® is approved as feed for animal, aqua/fish, and pet food in the EU, and is now under development for human consumption.

Unibio uses the patented U-Loop® technology, a continuous-flow fermentation process that allows for a high conversion-rate and efficient utilisation of gases, all within an economically viable production framework. Through its proprietary process, the gases are converted to protein that is subsequently treated and purified to a nutritious, high-quality protein.

Today, Unibio has taken the technology to industrial scale and is rolling it out globally.

Using fermentation to produce protein ensures a product where water usage is low, quality is consistent and no arable land is needed.

 

Ensuring food sustainability

Using fermentation to produce protein ensures a product where water usage is low, quality is consistent and no arable land is needed.

The protein from Unibio is comparable to fishmeal or soy, the two primary protein sources mainly used in animal feed. Substituting these with Uniprotein® offers a more reliable approach to animal nutrition and contributes to global food security.

When insect mating stops, it is good for the crops

A biosolution-based technology, developed by the company FMC, has made pheromones more cost-effective, giving more farmers around the world access to an improved way of controlling insect pests in agriculture.

The agricultural industry plays a crucial role in securing enough food for a growing world population. New technologies are required to continue enhancing crop yields while reducing our overall impact on the environment, biodiversity, and natural resources.

Biosolutions lower the price of and increase the access to pheromones

FMC Corporation is one of the leading developers of biological crop solutions like insect pheromones, and they are dedicated to use their solutions to accelerate the green transition in agriculture.

Their insect pheromones are used to control insect pests by disrupting their mating and thereby preventing new generations of targeted pests from emerging.

While the use of insect pheromones in agriculture is not new, the manufacturing method from FMC is. Their manufacturing method combines yeast modification, fermentation, and chemical processing to produce pheromones at an industrial scale. This biosolution-based technology has made pheromones more cost-effective, giving more farmers around the world access to a more environmentally friendly way of controlling insect pests in agriculture.

Furthermore, FMC’s yeast fermentation is scalable both in terms of quantity and types of pheromones, making it possible to produce pheromones for a wide range of insect pests in many different crops from corn and rice to fruits and cotton.

As insect pheromones are natural compounds released by insects in small quantities to aTtract a mating partner of the same species, they leave bees and other beneficial insects to thrive.

 

Yields are increased and biodiversity is preserved

FMC has conducted dozens of field trials around the world in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, USA, Spain, Hungary, China, and Indonesia with the objective to develop pheromone-based products for the row crop market.

The pheromone products show promise in controlling major pests in row crops, such as the fall armyworm by reducing pest pressure and damages to the crop, giving farmers a biological tool to improve the protection and health of crops throughout the growing season and, consequently, the quality and quantity of the harvest.

As insect pheromones are natural compounds released by insects in small quantities to attract a mating partner of the same species, they leave bees and other beneficial insects to thrive.