{"id":58706,"date":"2026-08-26T09:58:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=58706"},"modified":"2026-08-26T09:58:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:58:49","slug":"why-fonterra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/why-fonterra\/","title":{"rendered":"Why does Greenpeace campaign against Fonterra?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fonterra is the worst climate polluter in Aotearoa, and its emissions are increasing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intensive dairying, led by Fonterra, has polluted lakes and rivers across New Zealand, and that pollution is getting worse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>That pollution isn\u2019t just contaminating lakes and rivers, it\u2019s also contaminating rural drinking water and making people sick.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>80% of dairy farms in NZ are part of the Fonterra Cooperative. If Fonterra stuck to real climate targets, it would have major impacts for NZ emissions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greenpeace has been campaigning against Fonterra\u2019s environmental pollution for over a decade, to protect the planet that we all depend on. But why do we do it?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-beige-100-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-785a6efd wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h4 id=\"h-on-this-page\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">On this page<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#h-fonterra-nz-worst-polluter\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#h-fonterra-nz-worst-polluter\">Fonterra is New Zealand&#8217;s worst climate polluter<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-fonterras-production-model\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#h-fonterras-production-model\">Fonterra&#8217;s production model<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-government-interference\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#h-government-interference\">Government interference<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-fonterra-freshwater-pollution\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#h-fonterra-freshwater-pollution\">Fonterra &amp; fresh water pollution<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-fonterras-responsibility\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#h-fonterras-responsibility\">Cleaning up Big Ag<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-fighting-fonterras-pollution\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#h-fighting-fonterras-pollution\">Fighting Fonterra&#8217;s pollution<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ve heard of Big Oil. You\u2019ve probably also heard of Big Tobacco. But have you heard of Big Ag?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Big Ag, or the intensive livestock industry, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/foodfarming\/meat-dairy-agricultural-methane-emissions\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/foodfarming\/meat-dairy-agricultural-methane-emissions\/\">one of the worst polluting industries globally<\/a>. And here in Aotearoa New Zealand, they\u2019re led by Fonterra, the world\u2019s biggest dairy exporter and New Zealand\u2019s worst climate polluter, who\u2019s playing a key role in destroying the natural world which we all love and depend on.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-fonterra-nz-worst-polluter\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fonterra is New Zealand\u2019s worst climate polluter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/as-the-los-angeles-fires-burn-the-world-passed-1-point-5-degrees-of-warming\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/as-the-los-angeles-fires-burn-the-world-passed-1-point-5-degrees-of-warming\/\">wildfires<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nz-is-again-being-soaked-this-summer-record-ocean-heat-helps-explain-it\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nz-is-again-being-soaked-this-summer-record-ocean-heat-helps-explain-it\/\">floods<\/a>, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/cyclone-gabrielle-one-year-on-there-is-both-despair-and-hope\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/cyclone-gabrielle-one-year-on-there-is-both-despair-and-hope\/\">deadly storms<\/a> to heatwaves, extreme weather is hitting us harder than ever, and it\u2019s no accident. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/explore\/climate-change\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/explore\/climate-change\/\">Climate change<\/a>, fuelled by polluting industries, is here, and it is getting worse.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the oil and gas industry has a lot to answer for on the climate change front, they\u2019re not the only culprit. The intensive livestock industry is also a major source of pollution.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we talk about the intensive livestock industry, or Big Ag, we mean the giant milk and meat corporations that are driving intensification of farming practices around the world. These intensive livestock farms cram as many animals as possible onto the land and into factory farms, to produce as much milk and meat as they can, with no regard for the consequences. They have enormous power and influence over governments around the world, and they\u2019ve been working to roll back any climate action that might force them to improve their practices. And this also means their actions have an enormous impact on the climate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Globally, the livestock industry is the single biggest source of human-made methane, and is responsible for<a href=\"https:\/\/methaneactiontracker.org\/\"> approximately 16% of all greenhouse emissions<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here in Aotearoa, Fonterra is our worst climate polluter, with its pollution eclipsing the greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuel companies!<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only does Fonterra produce more climate pollution than any other company in New Zealand,<a href=\"https:\/\/businessdesk.co.nz\/article\/carbon-catch-up\/carbon-catch-up-climate-change-greenhouse-gas-emissions-of-nzs-largest-companies-under-microscope\"> its emissions are increasing at a time when they need to fall rapidly.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need your help to take action to stop the intensive livestock industry from expanding its pollution \u2013 take action today!<\/p>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout post-75510 \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-stop-dairy-expansion\/\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/04\/93991ef9-no-dairy-expansion-in-nitrate-emergency-1024x535.png\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/04\/93991ef9-no-dairy-expansion-in-nitrate-emergency-600x314.png 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/04\/93991ef9-no-dairy-expansion-in-nitrate-emergency-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/04\/93991ef9-no-dairy-expansion-in-nitrate-emergency-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/04\/93991ef9-no-dairy-expansion-in-nitrate-emergency-510x266.png 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/04\/93991ef9-no-dairy-expansion-in-nitrate-emergency.png 1200w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\" title=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-stop-dairy-expansion\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPETITION: Stop dairy expansion!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">Call on the NZ Parliament to end dairy expansions now to protect public health and fresh water.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                                    <a\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n                        data-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n                        data-ga-action=\"Call to Action\"\n                        data-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-stop-dairy-expansion\/\"\n                        \n                    >\n                        Add your name\n                    <\/a>\n                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-beige-100-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c3d819e9 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-is-methane\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is methane?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Methane is a superheating greenhouse gas, 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2<\/sub>). It\u2019s produced in a variety of ways, but the largest source of methane is from the intensive agriculture industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Biogenic methane refers to methane that comes from animals. It\u2019s produced from the burps and farts of grazing animals like cows and sheep, as well as from effluent from pigs and chickens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Methane is responsible for about a third of all global warming to date. Because it\u2019s so powerful, reducing methane emissions would have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2025\/10\/192de9f2-2024.10.07_turning-down-the-heat-report-with-design_english-1.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2025\/10\/192de9f2-2024.10.07_turning-down-the-heat-report-with-design_english-1.pdf\">a very immediate effect on preventing the worst of climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why strengthening regulations on the intensive livestock industry would have such significant effects on climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/what-is-methane-the-invisible-gas-that-cooks-the-climate\/\">More on methane<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2025\/10\/192de9f2-2024.10.07_turning-down-the-heat-report-with-design_english-1.pdf\">Report: Turning down the heat<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-fonterras-production-model\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fonterra\u2019s production model: Dairy exports and domestic pollution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fonterra exports 95% of all of the dairy products it produces overseas, and creates an enormous amount of pollution in New Zealand<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Fonterra products are primarily exported as milk powder, not as milk. This milk powder is sold in bulk on the international market at low prices to produce KitKats and potato chips.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sheer scale of Fonterra\u2019s operations makes them New Zealand\u2019s biggest company, but they are also one of the slowest on climate action.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The vast majority \u2013 about 80% \u2013 of dairy farms in NZ are part of the Fonterra Cooperative. That means that if Fonterra were to set real climate targets and regulations, it would have major impacts for NZ dairy.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But instead, it is continuing with business as usual. In 2025, Fonterra made billions in revenue \u2013 and at the same time, their emissions shot up.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-government-interference\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government interference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fonterra\u2019s climate destruction extends beyond just its enormous methane emissions. It is also playing a major role in preventing climate action across New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fonterra\u2019s backdoor lobbying<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most recently, Fonterra was exposed for using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/mike-smith-fonterra-when-i-broke-the-rules-i-got-a-record-when-they-break-the-planet-they-rewrite-the-rules\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/mike-smith-fonterra-when-i-broke-the-rules-i-got-a-record-when-they-break-the-planet-they-rewrite-the-rules\/\">backdoor lobbying tactics <\/a>to shut down a landmark climate case, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/smith-vs-fonterra-supreme-court-ruling-win\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/smith-vs-fonterra-supreme-court-ruling-win\/\">Smith v Fonterra<\/a>.\u00a0 This tort case is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/85132\/smith-fonterra-new-zealand-greenhouse-gas-case\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/85132\/smith-fonterra-new-zealand-greenhouse-gas-case\/\">led by iwi leader Mike Smith<\/a> &#8211; who is suing Fonterra and 6 other major polluters for the harm caused by their climate pollution.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a desperate attempt to dodge accountability, Fonterra used secret lobbying tactics to convince the Government to adopt legislation retrospectively banning climate change lawsuits. It provided Government officials with hard-copy documents and used personal email addresses to ensure its lobbying attempts would remain hidden from Official Information Act requests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the dairy industry delays and derails climate policy<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agribusiness lobbyists have systematically shut down any attempt to regulate the livestock industry, going back more than 20 years:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/predatory-delay-climate-action-fonterra-dairynz-federated-farmers\/\">By preventing the implementation of a tax on methane emissions in 2003<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/another-free-pass-for-dairy-pollution-costs-us-all\/\">By shutting down attempts to put a price on agricultural climate pollution in the late 2010s<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/milking-it-how-the-intensive-dairy-industry-rewrote-freshwater-rules-in-their-favour\/\">By writing freshwater policy for this Government to roll back existing regulations that protected lakes and rivers.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even attempts to protect rural drinking water from intensive dairy pollution <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/government-repeal-of-te-mana-o-te-wai-condemning-rural-communities-to-unsafe-drinking-water\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/government-repeal-of-te-mana-o-te-wai-condemning-rural-communities-to-unsafe-drinking-water\/\">have been shut down<\/a>, for fear that they would harm Fonterra\u2019s fat bottom line.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our politicians claim that it is up to the industry to self-regulate. But so far, they have completely failed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/new-report-exposes-shocking-scale-of-fonterras-greenwashing\/\">Fonterra\u2019s \u2018Climate Roadmap\u2019 is an example of that<\/a>. The company\u2019s \u2018plan\u2019 to deal with its climate pollution is nothing more than empty words and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/what-is-greenwashing\/\">greenwash<\/a>. It\u2019s been made very clear that we cannot expect voluntary pledges and vague commitments to translate into real action.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fonterra and the dairy industry have dodged accountability on climate change for more than two decades. It has interfered in Government processes to make sure that won\u2019t change.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to environmental destruction.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-fonterra-freshwater-pollution\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>It\u2019s not just the climate \u2013 Fonterra is polluting fresh water too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every year, New Zealanders travelling around the country during the summer will come across signs at lakes, rivers, and streams, with \u2018DO NOT SWIM\u2019 warnings written in big bold letters.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image-510x340.jpeg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/08\/1a4af954-image.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s because New Zealand\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/explore\/water-pollution\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/explore\/water-pollution\/\">freshwater pollution<\/a> is an ever-growing problem.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawa.org.nz\/explore-data\/river-quality\">Up to 60% of monitored swim sites in New Zealand are unsafe for swimming<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/environment.govt.nz\/publications\/our-freshwater-2026\/#3-impacts-on-freshwater-ecosystems-habitats-and-species\">More than 60% of lakes are in a \u2018poor\u2019 or \u2018very poor\u2019 state.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/environment.govt.nz\/publications\/our-freshwater-2026\/#3-impacts-on-freshwater-ecosystems-habitats-and-species\">89% of native freshwater fish species are facing the threat of extinction, or at risk of becoming threatened<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can thank Fonterra \u2013 and run-off from the company\u2019s intensive dairy farms \u2013 for this pollution too.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dairy and water pollution<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To grow enough grass to feed all the cows, the dairy industry needs:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>huge amounts of water \u2013 taken from rivers via irrigation schemes\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>huge amounts of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser \u2013 which is added to grazed land and pastures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But both of these&nbsp; have disastrous consequences for the health of the water.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Massive irrigation schemes are sucking rivers dry, reducing river flow and increasing sediment. This means that less light filters down to the bottom of the rivers, preventing plant growth, and making it harder for fish to see and breathe.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">E.coli bacteria from cow effluent regularly ends up in New Zealand\u2019s lakes and rivers, putting swimmers\u2019 health at risk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And of course, nitrate contamination in lakes and rivers, thanks to farm runoff of fertiliser, threatens the health of aquatic life.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nitrate contamination drives a process called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/flipping-lakes-when-lake-clearwater-turns-turbid\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/flipping-lakes-when-lake-clearwater-turns-turbid\/\">eutrophication<\/a>.\u00a0Massive algal blooms form due to the abundance of nutrients in the water, blocking sunlight. When these die and decompose, large amounts of carbon dioxide gas are released into the water. This limits the overall amount of oxygen in the water, and causes fish to suffocate.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aquatic life isn\u2019t the only thing at risk from nitrate contamination though. People are suffering too.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Health risks from nitrate contamination in drinking water&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main source of drinking water pollution in New Zealand is nitrate contamination from intensive dairying.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because there are too many cows in New Zealand\u2019s dairy herd, dairy farmers have to use huge amounts of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2019\/09\/8130950a-greenpeace-synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser-briefing.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2019\/09\/8130950a-greenpeace-synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser-briefing.pdf\">synthetic nitrogen fertiliser<\/a> to grow enough grass to feed them all.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All that fertiliser \u2013 and the urine from all of those cows \u2013 has to go somewhere. It leaches through the soil and into groundwater, contaminating our water supplies for years to come.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rural communities in Aotearoa are facing a nitrate crisis. Their drinking water has been contaminated with unsafe levels of nitrate, which is coming from the intensive dairy industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nitrate contamination at levels above 11.3 mg\/L is known to cause methemoglobinemia, otherwise known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/#h-is-nitrate-water-a-risk-for-my-baby\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/#h-is-nitrate-water-a-risk-for-my-baby\">Blue Baby Syndrome<\/a>. This has been known since the 1950s, which is when New Zealand set our legal limit for nitrate contamination in drinking water.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, at much lower levels of nitrate, nitrate contamination in drinking water has been linked to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/#h-nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-are-the-health-risks\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/#h-nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-are-the-health-risks\">chronic health conditions and pregnancy risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These include:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0an increased risk of developing bowel cancer from long-term exposure to nitrate-contaminated water at 1 mg\/L or higher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an increased risk of preterm birth and underweight babies if pregnant people drink water contaminated with nitrate at 5 mg\/L or higher;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/nitrate-in-drinking-water-linked-to-stomach-cancer-risk-new-study\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/nitrate-in-drinking-water-linked-to-stomach-cancer-risk-new-study\/\">recent science<\/a> even indicates a potential increase in risk of dementia and stomach cancer from nitrate contamination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regions at risk<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In regions like Southland and Canterbury, where there is a lot of intensive dairying, this has had devastating consequences.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Canterbury, the regional council declared a \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nitrate-emergency-canterbury-what-does-it-mean\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nitrate-emergency-canterbury-what-does-it-mean\/\">Nitrate Emergency<\/a>\u2019 in 2025, recognising the large-scale crisis unfolding on their doorstep. Local authorities are set to invest millions in taxpayer money in the search for alternative, non-polluted water sources. Entire towns are drinking water that is above levels associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/canterbury-private-water-supplies-nitrate-contamination-preterm-birth-risk\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/canterbury-private-water-supplies-nitrate-contamination-preterm-birth-risk\/\">preterm birth risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.greenpeace.org\/maps\/aotearoa\/know-your-nitrate\/\">our Know your Nitrate map<\/a> for more information on nitrate contamination levels in drinking water across New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Fonterra has faced zero consequences for driving this intensive dairy production model. While they profit, rural communities are paying the price with their health.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-fonterras-responsibility\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u2018Big Ag\u2019 has a responsibility to clean up its mess<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the planet burns and rural people\u2019s health suffers, our politicians have continuously let the intensive livestock industry off the hook \u2013 even though they\u2019re the biggest contributors to these crises.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New Zealand doesn\u2019t have to take this approach. We can learn from other countries and take action that protects our communities from the intensive livestock industry\u2019s pollution.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Denmark, the Government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/danish-drinking-water-nitrate-limit-to-be-lowered-nz-must-follow\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/danish-drinking-water-nitrate-limit-to-be-lowered-nz-must-follow\/\">has committed to lowering the legal limit<\/a> for nitrate contamination in drinking water from 11.3 mg\/L to 1.3 mg\/L,\u00a0in line with recommendations from health scientists and academics. This is their response to decades of pollution from the Danish pork industry, which parallels New Zealand\u2019s dairy industry.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no reason why our Government couldn\u2019t follow in the footsteps of Denmark and lower the limits for nitrate in our drinking water.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But right now, they\u2019re choosing not to.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need to force Fonterra to stop its polluting practices, and transition away from the intensive dairy model that it currently depends on.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s where you come in.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"h-fighting-fonterras-pollution\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Greenpeace is fighting Fonterra head-on<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greenpeace has been fighting Fonterra for the last 20 years, for its destruction of the natural environment that we all depend on for survival.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And together,&nbsp; we\u2019ve made progress. We\u2019ve&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/greenpeace-dumps-2-metric-tonnes-of-slime-at-fonterra-hq-before-shareholders-meeting\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/greenpeace-dumps-2-metric-tonnes-of-slime-at-fonterra-hq-before-shareholders-meeting\/\">held them to account for polluting rural communities\u2019 drinking water<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/the-supermarket-trip-that-led-to-fonterra-admitting-its-100-new-zealand-grass-fed-claim-is-misleading-and-deceptive\/\">forced them to admit to greenwashing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/what-is-the-fertiliser-cap\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/what-is-the-fertiliser-cap\/\">established restrictions on the use of polluting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But this battle needs numbers.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We don\u2019t have the same level of access to politicians as the industry. For every dollar we invest into shutting them down, they can invest 100 more into continuing their polluting practices.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what we do have is people.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tens of thousands of everyday people just like you who are standing up to Big Ag\u2019s pollution and demanding better for people and the planet. People power is our best chance to stand up to Fonterra and the rest of the global livestock industry \u2013 and that\u2019s why we need you to join us.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are three quick and easy things you can do to help us stop Fonterra\u2019s environmental destruction:<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/action.greenpeace.org.nz\/petition\/agriculture-nitrate-limits-drinking-water?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=why-fonterra&amp;utm_campaign=Agriculture\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/action.greenpeace.org.nz\/petition\/agriculture-nitrate-limits-drinking-water?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=why-fonterra&amp;utm_campaign=Agriculture\">Sign the petition<\/a> calling on the Government to set stronger rules on nitrate contamination in drinking water, to protect public health from the impacts of intensive dairy pollution.<br><br>We\u2019re calling on the Government to lower the nitrate limit to a safe level of 1 mg\/L, in line with modern health science.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout post-15662 \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-get-nitrates-out-of-our-drinking-water\/\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/02\/6976888c-jana-sabeth-7b1w1mcwekw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/02\/6976888c-jana-sabeth-7b1w1mcwekw-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/02\/6976888c-jana-sabeth-7b1w1mcwekw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/02\/6976888c-jana-sabeth-7b1w1mcwekw-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/02\/6976888c-jana-sabeth-7b1w1mcwekw-unsplash-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/02\/6976888c-jana-sabeth-7b1w1mcwekw-unsplash.jpg 1402w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\" title=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-get-nitrates-out-of-our-drinking-water\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPETITION: Lower nitrate limits in drinking water\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">Call on the Government to lower the limit for nitrates in drinking water to safe levels.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                                    <a\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n                        data-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n                        data-ga-action=\"Call to Action\"\n                        data-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-get-nitrates-out-of-our-drinking-water\/\"\n                        \n                    >\n                        Take Action\n                    <\/a>\n                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/action.greenpeace.org.nz\/appeal\/donate?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=why-fonterra\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/action.greenpeace.org.nz\/appeal\/donate?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=why-fonterra\">Make a donation<\/a> to support our work on the ground, whether that\u2019s by providing free water testing for nitrate contamination or through peaceful protest.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout  \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/action.greenpeace.org.nz\/appeal\/donate?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=why-fonterra\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-1024x684.jpeg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-600x401.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-1536x1026.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-2045x1366.jpeg 2045w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image-510x340.jpeg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/a6166ff4-image.jpeg 2048w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\" title=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/action.greenpeace.org.nz\/appeal\/donate?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=why-fonterra\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDonate to Greenpeace\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">Donate today to support our work in protecting fresh water<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/act\/volunteer\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/act\/volunteer\/\">Volunteer with Greenpeace<\/a>, and get involved in our protests, our actions. Make your voice heard!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout  \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/act\/volunteer\/\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/281582e6-gp0su8gfr_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-1024x683.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/281582e6-gp0su8gfr_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/281582e6-gp0su8gfr_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/281582e6-gp0su8gfr_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/281582e6-gp0su8gfr_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2026\/06\/281582e6-gp0su8gfr_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px.jpg 1200w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\" title=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/act\/volunteer\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBecome a volunteer\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">Join a group of passionate people giving nature a voice<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                                    <a\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n                        data-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n                        data-ga-action=\"Call to Action\"\n                        data-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/act\/volunteer\/\"\n                        \n                    >\n                        Sign up now\n                    <\/a>\n                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fonterra is the worst climate polluter in Aotearoa, and its emissions are increasing. Greenpeace has been campaigning against Fonterra&#8217;s pollution for years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":74182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_planet4_optimize_post_is_variant":false,"_planet4_optimize_experiment_name":"","_planet4_optimize_variant_name":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[16,19],"p4-page-type":[6],"class_list":["post-58706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-greenpeace","tag-climate","tag-food-and-farming","p4-page-type-story"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why does Greenpeace campaign against Fonterra?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/why-fonterra\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why does Greenpeace campaign against Fonterra?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fonterra is the worst climate polluter in Aotearoa, and its emissions are increasing. 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