Fonterra is New Zealand’s second biggest coal user – and they are planning a further major expansion of their coal use. At a time when Antarctic ice sheets are under increasing threat from climate change, that’s criminally irresponsible.

But Fonterra have an alternative: they could use wood waste instead of coal in their new plants, and then progressively switch their existing coal plants to use wood waste. So far, they have refused to take up that alternative.

It’s Time To Tell Fonterra: No New Coal

Many people know that Fonterra, and the expansion of the New Zealand dairy industry, have led to massive environmental problems. These include the degradation of water quality and a big increase in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

But what’s less well known is that Fonterra burns coal to dry milk powder. Their use of coal has expanded 38% since 2008 and they are planning a further major expansion.

So, in partnership with Action Station, Coal Action Network Aotearoa has launched a campaign calling on Fonterra to commit to building no new coal boilers, and then to progressively phase out existing coal boilers.

We think this is an issue Fonterra is vulnerable on, and now is a good time to push for change. If you agree, please sign and share this call to action:

• Tell Fonterra: No New Coal: http://www.actionstation.org.nz/nonewcoal

The post Join Over 1600 People Who’ve Signed On To Tell Fonterra “No New Coal” appeared first on Coal Action Network Aotearoa.

There’s one thing we all know about coal: it causes climate change, and it’s the fuel we have to get rid of, globally, in order to keep warming below two degrees.

But there’s something you may not know: dairy giant Fonterra is New Zealand’s second biggest coal user, burning more than half a million tonnes a year to dry milk powder. Its coal use has increased 38% since 2008.

And Fonterra is planning a big increase in its use of coal. It plants to build more coal boilers to let it dry even more milk powder.

Whatever you think of Fonterra’s economic strategy, Fonterra’s coal expansion plans have to be stopped. And that’s where you come in.

Fonterra wants to be seen as clean and green. It doesn’t want to be branded as a climate criminal. If enough of us speak up now, we can turn Fonterra’s plans around.

• Act now! Tell Fonterra: No New Coal Boilers

Fonterra doesn’t have to use coal. It could use wood waste instead.

Graphic: Action Station

Fonterra has just applied for consent to build a huge new milk drying plant at Studholme in South Canterbury with four new coal boilers. But there are other ways of getting the heat it wants.

In forests around the region, mountains of waste wood – branches, broken logs, prunings – are burned on site or left to rot. There are companies who collect this and supply it as fuel to industry. It is being used already in greenhouses, hospitals, schools, and other industries around the country.

Fonterra – like the rest of the world – needs to phase out coal. But the decision point is when you design the boiler. To get the best performance, and to be able to use the cheapest fuel, the boiler needs to be purpose-designed for wood.

Some boilers built in the 1970s are still being used to dry milk. Designing these four new boilers at Studholme for coal will commit Fonterra to increased coal use for at least another 40 years!

That’s why we have written an open letter to Fonterra Chair John Wilson – and why we’re asking you to sign on. Here’s what we’re asking Fonterra to do:

We call on you to commit to “no new coal boilers” – that is, to use wood waste, not coal, in the new boilers you’re currently planning, like at Studholme.

Then, we want Fonterra to commit to, and fully carry out, a programme to phase out coal boilers and move to wood waste at its existing plants as they age.

Now is the time to make a difference. The Studholme project doesn’t yet have consent so there is time to change design. The Fonterra Board meets in November.

• Sign our open letter to Fonterra Chair John Wilson.

The post Tell Fonterra: No New Coal Boilers appeared first on Coal Action Network Aotearoa.