Bel Group Leads Global Dairy Methane Rankings
The Changing Markets Foundation report ranks major food companies on their commitment to reducing livestock methane emissions.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Organic Food
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Bel Group secured the top position in the latest Methane Action Tracker with a score of 80%, narrowly surpassing Danone. The index evaluates food industry giants on their progress in disclosing emissions, setting targets, and implementing action plans.
Why it matters
The rankings highlight a significant divide in sustainability efforts, as members of the Dairy and Methane Action Alliance (DMAA) consistently outperform non-members. These metrics track how effectively global food producers are aligning their operations with international climate goals.
Bel Group and Danone lead the industry with scores of 80% and 79.5%, significantly higher than the 22.3% average for non-DMAA members. Currently, only 14 of the 23 companies assessed have implemented a formal livestock methane action plan.
The players
Bel Group
A major multinational cheese and dairy products producer headquartered in France that now leads the Methane Action Tracker.
Danone
A prominent global food and beverage company that has set methane reduction targets aligned with the Global Methane Pledge.
Changing Markets Foundation
An organization that tracks corporate sustainability and publishes performance benchmarks like the Methane Action Tracker.
Dairy and Methane Action Alliance
A coalition of industry members working together to achieve improved transparency and reporting regarding methane emissions.
The details
Danone maintains a 29.8% reduction in emissions against 2020 levels, while retailers Tesco and Lidl share the top retail spot with scores of 43.5%. The report notes that Nestlé slipped to ninth place, while Agropur saw a major improvement by increasing its score to 61%.
Timeline
2020 served as the baseline year for Global Methane Pledge reduction targets.
Nestlé exited the Dairy and Methane Action Alliance in October 2025.
The average score for DMAA members was 45.9% in May 2026.
The latest Methane Action Tracker report was released on October 27, 2026.
Culture Shift
These rankings reflect a broader industry transition as firms align their operations with the Global Methane Pledge. By moving toward standardized emission reporting, the sector is shifting away from voluntary disclosures toward a framework of measurable corporate accountability.
Consumers concerned about the environmental footprint of their food can use these scores to identify brands that prioritize verifiable emissions reporting. This transparency may influence future purchasing decisions as shoppers seek out products from companies that demonstrably meet reduction targets.
The takeaway
Food producers are under increasing pressure to standardize methane reporting as part of global climate efforts. Investors and consumers should continue to monitor these scores to see which companies successfully move from setting targets to actual emission reductions.
Further reading
For broader insights into sustainable production methods, visit our Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Should large food corporations be held publicly accountable for methane emissions in their supply chains?
