for today and tomorrow
De Graafstroom is a proud dairy cooperative that combines stewardship, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship. Our mission: to turn milk into good food with respect for people, animals, and nature. We are building a future in which taste, quality, and sustainability go hand in hand.
stewardship
As a cooperative, we feel responsible for more than just the present. For us, stewardship means caring for the land, the animals, and the people who will come after us. We continuously invest in sustainable agriculture, energy-efficient production, water conservation, and animal welfare. For us, good entrepreneurship is inextricably linked to good stewardship.
Our sustainability strategy is a joint journey, from farmer to cheese maker. In our animation, we take you through the steps we are taking to reduce our impact and make our chain more sustainable. From biodiversity on the farm to energy-efficient technology. Discover how we are working towards a sustainable future.
Committed to SBTi
We are committed to the Paris climate goals and are actively working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in scopes 1, 2, and 3. In 2023, we set our reduction targets and submitted them for assessment. On December 14, 2023, we received official approval from the SBTi, confirming that our plans contribute to limiting global temperature rise to a maximum of 1.5°C. We have formulated emission targets based on scientific insights in accordance with the GHG protocol.
To achieve the 1.5°C target, we aim to reduce our absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by at least 42% by 2030 compared to the base year 2022. Our results achieved up to 2025 are shown in the image above.
For scope 3, we aim for an emission reduction of at least 30%. Our ambitions for scope 3 requires intensive collaboration with our dairy farmers and chain partners. By joining forces, we are working together to build a future-proof dairy sector and a healthy cooperative.
SBTi-registratie (ID 40006062): Target dashboard – Science Based Targets Initiative
89 %
Farmers who graze their cattle (2025)
32 km
Average distance from farm to factory
100 %
Use of green energy
66 %
Reduction in gas consumption
(compared to base year 2022)
RESPECT for nature
Our farmers and employees share knowledge and experience to become increasingly sustainable together. Through workshops, lectures, and training courses, we inspire each other to go one step further every day. With our sustainability program, we promote biodiversity and ensure lower CO₂ emissions per liter of milk. Our cows receive the best care and graze regularly outside in the pasture, because respect for animals starts with a good living environment.
Within the ‘Green Circles; cheese and soil subsidence’ initiative, we work with a wide range of partners to tackle area-specific challenges with regard to sustainability.
Care for our animals
Animal welfare is a top priority within our cooperative. We are fully committed to the agreements at EU, national, and sector level to monitor the health and welfare of our cows. Our animals receive the best care, with attention to their natural behavior and living environment.
Within Groene Cirkels (Green Circles), companies, governments, and knowledge institutions join forces to create a future-proof landscape. Based on open and equal cooperation, De Graafstroom and its partners are committed to preserving and future-proofing the agricultural landscape in the Alblasserwaard-Vijfheerenlanden region.
This collaboration focuses, among other things, on slowing down soil subsidence and increasing biodiversity in the peat meadow area where our cheese factory and a large part of our farmers are located.
