Arla's new milk label Æ.KT gets literal about acting for climate and animal welfare

Dairy cooperative Arla Foods has announced the launch of a new milk label in Germany: Arla Æ.KT. Beyond milk, the product symbolizes commitment to environmental sustainability and animal welfare. 

Using 2015 as its baseline, Arla plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on its farms by 30% by the end of 2030. Reduction goals for the cooperative's dairies, logistics and offices are more ambitious at 63%. Current emissions are 1.54 kg CO2e per liter of whole milk and 1.32 kg CO2e per liter of low-fat milk — each listed on the milk's packaging. The footprints include all greenhouse gas emissions over the entire product life cycle, from milk production on Arla's farms to the disposal of empty milk cartons by consumers.

The second prong of Æ.KT's proposition — animal welfare — isn't as comprehensive, claiming only that Arla cows graze outside for at least 120 days a year and six hours daily. Arla Æ.KT is now available in grocery stores nationwide in Germany, with all milk sourced from German farms.