Too big to fail, too timid to change, or too arrogant to listen? You can form your own view on why Fonterra is determined to bet all our futures on coal, but there is no doubt that this is exactly what they plan to do.

Fonterra has made it very plain to Coal Action Network Aotearoa that they have no concrete plans to reduce their coal use any time soon and that growing the company is their bottom line – they appear to think that the environment is just a “nice to have”.

the first loser

Fonterra’s coal use has increased 38% since 2008. They are already New Zealand’s second-biggest coal user, and their determination to expand coal use further will only make its position even worse. We believe Fonterra will eventually recognise the error of their ways: the question is, how much more damage to our climate will they have done in the meantime?

But for now we’re asking nicely. Until 6 November, you can sign on to our open letter to Fonterra calling on them to commit to using no new coal. This is the first stage in our campaign to stop Fonterra becoming New Zealand’s greatest climate criminal. It won’t be the last.