It has been a busy week for Fonterra with the announcement that its Brightwater dairy factory is set to significantly reduce the site's reliance on coal and the inaugural My Connect Conference in Auckland.
Fonterra Farm Source Regional Head Waikato Paul Grave spoke to The Country Early Edition's Rowena Duncumfor a recap on the conference and the reasoning behind the Brightwater move.
The My Connect Conference was "fantastic," with a "great vibe and a great atmosphere," says Grave.
Fonterra's Brightwater factory will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 25 per cent by converting a coal boiler to a co-boiler, which means it can burn both wood and coal to generate steam, says Grave.
The move will cut emissions from the factory by around 2,400 tonnes a year, which is roughly the same as taking 530 cars off the road.
Grave says it is expected the boiler will be able to co-fire with wood biomass by October this year.
Also in today's interview: Paul Grave says Fonterra supports the Interim Climate Change Committee and that he is an advocate for using education to get a better understanding of climate change.
