Danone Champions Regenerative Agriculture to Future-Proof UK Food Systems
As environmental pressures on global food systems intensify, Danone is taking a leading role in promoting regenerative agriculture (RA) to build resilience, reduce emissions, and support farmers in the UK. In partnership with Forum for the Future, the global dairy and plant-based products giant is investing in long-term soil health and biodiversity strategies to shift how raw materials are sourced and grown.
In a recent webinar hosted by Forum for the Future, Danone’s Head of Nature and Sustainability, Katarina Kahlmann, outlined how the company is embedding regenerative practices across its supply chain. “It’s not just about environmental outcomes—it’s a model that needs to work for farmers long-term,” she said.
Danone’s UK farming network, especially in dairy, is being transformed to prioritize soil health, reduce synthetic inputs, and integrate biodiversity-boosting practices. By supporting over 30 UK farmers in trialling regenerative techniques, Danone aims to reduce dependency on intensive farming methods that contribute to soil degradation and rising greenhouse gas emissions.
The move aligns with Danone’s broader ambition to cut absolute methane emissions from its fresh milk supply chain by 30% by 2030. Agriculture is currently responsible for 53% of Danone’s global emissions, making it central to the company’s climate strategy. While regenerative farming alone won’t entirely decarbonize the sector, it plays a critical role in improving soil carbon sequestration and ecosystem health, while enhancing farm profitability and resilience.
Forum for the Future’s Senior Advisor, Lesley Mitchell, emphasized that regenerative agriculture also offers a pathway for food brands to address supply chain risks and rising stakeholder expectations. “It’s a business-critical issue now, not just an ethical one,” Mitchell noted.
For FMCG brands, Danone’s approach presents a scalable framework: co-developing with farmers, aligning on shared sustainability goals, and committing to long-term investment in agricultural transformation. As consumer and regulatory pressures increase, regenerative agriculture is positioning itself as a key lever in securing both environmental and supply security outcomes.
With the UK food and farming blueprint under scrutiny, Danone’s model offers a case study in how brand-led collaboration can accelerate systemic change—and secure the future of sustainable food production.