Work

Short communication: The water footprint of dairy products: Case study involving skim milk powder

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: In the context of global water scarcity and food security concerns, water footprints are emerging as an important sustainability indicator in the agriculture and food sectors. Using a recently developed life cycle assessment-based methodology that takes into account local water stress where operations occur, the normalized water footprints of milk products from South Gippsland, one of Australia's major dairy regions, were 14.4 L/kg of total milk solids in whole milk (at farm gate) and 15.8 L/kg of total milk solids in skim milk powder (delivered to export destination). These results demonstrate that dairy products can be produced with minimal potential to contribute to freshwater scarcity. However, not all dairy production systems are alike and the variability in water footprints between systems and products should be explored to obtain strategic insights that will enable the dairy sector to minimize its burden on freshwater systems from consumptive water use.

Source: Journal of Dairy Science

DOI: 10.3168/jds.2010-3546

Authors: B.G. Ridoutt, S.R.O. Williams, S. Baud, S. Fraval, N. Marks

Institution: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation