Pursuing the route to eco-efficiency in dairy production: The case of Galician area

Abstract

The search for more efficient and sustainable processes has become the cornerstone of any production system. It is within this framework that it is highly relevant to propose improvement actions based on a detailed eco-efficiency analysis of different facilities so that roadmaps for more sustainable processes are considered. The joint use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) appears to be an appropriate methodology to assess the eco-efficiency of multiple units, providing targets and benchmarks for inefficient ones. This work advances in this direction by integrating both analysis methodologies in the calculation of environmental indicators associated with milk production for a large group of farms, nearly 100 decision-making units. Twenty-one dairy farms were identified as efficient, and the average efficiency score of the inefficient farms was 0.58. Based on the comparison of current operation levels with target levels, it was possible to quantify average reductions of up to 53% for input consumption levels, resulting in average impact reductions of 49% in carbon footprint and 55% in water footprint. Comparing the outcomes of this study with those reported in 2011 for Galician farms (Northwest Spain), a slight decrease in eco-efficiency was noted in the dairy sector. This study shows how the Galician dairy sector must address sustainable development objectives, especially those established in Agenda 2030 to achieve constant improvement and sustainable and efficient production.