Athian to pay US dairy farmers $9 million for emissions reduction efforts
Athian is partnering with dairy processors and cooperatives
20 February 2025
3 minute read
By: In a recent announcement, Athian said it will pay livestock producers more than $9 million from the sale of certified Scope 3 inset reductions to food companies. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions were achieved through sustainability practices, such as feed ingredients and alternative manure management programs, implemented on US dairy farms in 2024. The news comes just one year after the sale of the first verified reductions was announced last January.
“We are connecting the dots for the last mile of the supply chain in a way food companies haven’t been able to in the past,” said Paul Myer, Athian CEO. “And it’s clear this is just the beginning of the bigger impact we can make by helping food companies achieve their Scope 3 goals and financially rewarding producers for implementing emission-reducing practices.”
When the first verified GHG reductions were sold in January 2024, there was just one protocol available for producers to implement. Protocols are practices that have been scientifically vetted and confirmed to result in emission reductions. Two more protocols were published to the Athian platform last year, including the alternative manure management program (AMMP) protocol added in September 2024. Another protocol is pending publication in early 2025, and three new protocol proposals will be considered by Athian’s esteemed Scientific Advisory Board when it meets in March.
“We expect to double the number of available protocols by the end of this year,” said Kendra Tolley, Athian chief product officer. “This means more options for producers looking for ways to improve the sustainability of, and secure new revenue streams for, their operations. And for our buyers, there will be more variety in the on-farm practices generating these Scope 3 GHG reductions, potentially aligning with other goals they may have around water quality or soil health.”
Athian already is partnering with dairy processors and cooperatives to help connect some of the largest food brands with sustainability-minded producers in their supply chains. The resulting emissions reductions are improving the environmental footprint of dairy products such as milk, cheese and dairy ingredients. Tolley expects Athian’s growth in 2025 to include new customers from medium-sized food chain companies who are looking for ways to make achieving their Scope 3 emissions goals more predictable, efficient and trustworthy for credible progress reporting.
Athian also is looking to pilot projects in additional industries beyond dairy, where the first reductions have been realized and sold. For example, a pilot in beef cattle in 2025 could demonstrate the ability to achieve verified reductions in meat supply sheds.
“Athian’s short journey has been one of continuous evolution,” Myer said. “Our customers are telling us what they need to be successful in this space and we are rapidly working to integrate new capabilities, whether it’s protocols, platform technologies or livestock species.”
Athian helps the livestock value chain capture and claim greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions by aggregating, verifying and certifying them, and then monetizing those reductions for farmers through the sale of the resulting insets.
