In the Ulan Buh Desert of Inner Mongolia, a thriving 200-square-kilometer oasis has emerged thanks to over a decade of efforts by Mengniu Dairy, a COFCO Corporation subsidiary.
With more than 98 million trees planted, this transformation has turned the region into the world’s largest organic milk source. This achievement reflects Mengniu Dairy’s commitment to the philosophy that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” and showcases its commitment to a sustainable, full-chain green development model.
As a leading Chinese dairy enterprise, Mengniu Dairy integrates ecological priority and green development into its operations. Leveraging the dairy industry’s cross-sector nature, the company reduces carbon emissions across the entire supply chain, creating a new path that combines ecological, social, and economic benefits.
Upstream: Emission reduction and desert restoration
Recognizing that healthy ecosystems are the foundation of high-quality milk, Mengniu Dairy has implemented four major measures in its farms: herd structure optimization, feed adjustments, upgraded manure management and improved energy efficiency — cutting 180,000 tons of emissions annually.
Notably, Mengniu Dairy has combined ecological restoration with industrial development in the Ulan Buh Desert, restoring over 200 square kilometers and planting more than 98 million trees. Its “farming–grazing integration, manure-to-field recycling, organic circulation” model has improved sandy soils and established an integrated ecosystem restoration approach. This was recognized by the UN Global Compact’s Corporate Net-Zero Pathway as a best practice, offering Chinese solutions to global desertification.
Midstream: Green manufacturing and digital transformation
In production, Mengniu Dairy promotes efficiency, intelligence, and low-carbon development through “green factory” and “future factory” initiatives. The company now operates 37 national-level green factories. Among them, the Qujing plant in Yunnan is China’s first dairy factory to achieve both domestic and international zero-carbon certification, reaching carbon neutrality for two consecutive years. In Ningxia, digital energy-saving technologies have cut energy consumption by 43 percent, making it China’s first dairy “Lighthouse Factory” for liquid milk and the first globally in the sector.
Downstream: Green consumption and global responsibility
Mengniu Dairy develops degradable, lightweight, and recyclable packaging. It has launched zero-carbon certified products, and runs nationwide dairy packaging recycling campaigns in partnership with industry players.
The company has also expanded its sustainability pledge globally, aiming for zero deforestation across its supply chain by 2030. In May 2024, it procured China’s first shipment of zero-deforestation soybeans, which arrived at Tianjin Port for production use, marking solid progress toward a responsible global supply chain.
These green practices strengthen ecological security in northern China, provide a sustainable path for dairy industry development, and have earned the highest ratings in authoritative international ESG evaluations.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
