Cows grazing in a paddock with wind turbines shown on the horizon.Cows grazing in a paddock with wind turbines shown on the horizon.

Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework

Our framework and promise

The Australian dairy industry is committed to providing nutritious food for a healthier world. Through the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework, the industry reports on progress and upholds commitments to our people, the community's wellbeing, animal care and the environment.

Our industry’s internationally recognised framework considers all issues along the value chain that may impact the sustainability of the dairy industry. It continues to be reviewed, revised and strengthened to respond to a changing world.

The Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework was launched in 2012 following extensive consultation with dairy farmers and manufacturers as well as stakeholders including government, retailers, customers, NGOs and interest groups.

There are four commitments in the framework that underpin Our Dairy Promise - to provide nutritious food for a healthier world. The framework enables us to measure and publicly report against them.

The purpose of the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework is to transparently address stakeholders' sustainability expectations while ensuring industry economic viability and building capacity to deliver positive change.

The ambition in our whole-of-industry Framework aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global blueprint to achieve a better, more sustainable future for all. The goals and targets in the framework are set to 2030 – the same as the SDGs. Here we explain how UN SDG alignment.

The Framework is also informed by membership of the global Dairy Sustainability Framework and of Sustainability Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform's dairy working group.

Guided by the industry’s commitments and supported by tools, research and services from Dairy Australia, Australian dairy farmers and manufacturers will continue progressing toward a more sustainable future.

Our sustainability commitments

Tracking our commitments since 2012: to our people, the community, our animals and the environment.

Best Care for Animals

Discover best practices for animal care in the dairy industry, ensuring the health, welfare and ethical treatment of livestock.

Building Healthy Communities

Discover how the dairy industry supports regional Australia through jobs, education, wellbeing and community partnerships.

Enhancing Livelihoods

Learn about a vibrant industry that rewards dairy workers, communities, business and investors.

Reducing Environmental Impact

Learn how the dairy industry is addressing climate change and caring for natural resources.

Reports and scorecards

Goals set in 2013 are now tracked through to 2030 via our framework.

Collaborating on sustainability

The Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) is the dairy industry's peak policy body. The ADIC has overall responsibility for the framework, setting and reporting progress against the framework targets and performance measures.

Dairy Australia, the industry-owned national service body, facilitates and supports the ADIC in developing and implementing the framework.

A steering committee was established in 2012 to drive the ongoing development and implementation of the framework.

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