In April 2018, Climate Collaborative committed company Danone North America became the largest company in the world to earn B Corp™ Certification. The company has made commitments to agriculture, energy efficiency, food waste, forests, packaging, policy engagement, and transportation through the Climate Collaborative.

Danone North America is committed to continuous improvement on climate, and to achieve that they are working within their own operations, across their supply chain, and with strategic community partners like Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a non-profit organization that seeks to empower business to be in balance with the environment. Working with BEF, Danone North America ensures 100% of the electricity used at its owned manufacturing plants comes from renewable resources through the purchase of renewable energy certificates.

The company is also championing ambitious soil health practices. In March 2018, Danone North America kicked off a soil health research program that will take place over the next 18 months, beginning with products involved in The Dannon Pledge. The program includes an ambition to commit up to $6M over five years focused on key activities including soil sampling and testing, review of yield, grower engagement, data collection and analysis, reports and field days with farmers to provide training around soil health best practices. The aim is to identify ways to help regenerate soils, looking at enhancing organic matter and soil fertility with long-term benefits such as soil carbon sequestration, reduced chemicals use, soil water holding capacity, enhancing biodiversity and supporting the economic resilience of farmer communities.

The program convened experts and academics including Dr. Rattan Lal and the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center at The Ohio State University, Dr. Harold van Es and the soil health team at Cornell University and EcoPractices, working with EFC/Ag Solver as a service provider, with the goal of benefiting the company’s farmer partners and communities. Soil is the foundation of the food system, with an estimated 95% of food directly or indirectly reliant on soil. As America’s largest yogurt maker, it’s inspiring to see Danone North America initiating this breakthrough research program with the company’s supply chain.

Most recently, the Danone North America became a founding member of the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance to drive progress in U.S. public policies that shape what people eat and how it impacts their health, communities and the planet. 

Deanna Bratter, Senior Director, Public Benefit and Sustainable Development said of the company’s commitment to climate change action: “Our company vision of One Planet. One Health keeps us focused on work that protects and enhances society and the planet. We are committed to continuously drive our programs from soil health to sustainable packaging and living our B Corp values to use our business as a force for good, bringing great products to consumers while working diligently preserve and renew our planet’s natural resources.”

To learn more about Danone North America, visit http://www.danonenorthamerica.com/.