At last year's Royal Show, Justin King, CEO Sainsbury's, announced that following the success of the Sainsbury's Dairy Development Group (SDDG) carbon initiative, the retailer is going to extend the model across their suppliers producing beef, lamb, pig, poultry and eggs.

Since the Royal Show, the beef and lamb greenhouse gas (GHG) models have been completed and on farm assessments are now underway. In line with Sainsbury's plan to extend their drive for on farm environmental and sustainability improvements to their key livestock sectors, the first monogastric models have been produced.

The undoubted success of the original group of 325 SDDG dairy farmers – who have not only cut greenhouse gas emissions per litre of milk but have also made financial savings – has also led to the extension into the Sainsbury's Cheddar cheese sector. The model has also been extended into Northern Ireland.

The unique GHG model developed by AB Sustain was the first livestock model to achieve the Carbon Trust's PAS2050 status. It has also received several accolades, in particular winning the IGD Environmental award, as well as the Green Apple award for the environment.

Richard Perkins, World Wildlife Fund UK (WWF), said: "We are extremely impressed with the GHG technical tool AB Sustain has developed. The reports generated give the producers detailed technical feedback that will enable them to identify how they can reduce their GHG emissions and possibly how they can make a more profitable farm enterprise from doing so. Having both a producer and an external appraisal, they combine farmer motivation with sound measurement."

Annie Graham, Sainsbury's Head of Brand Sustainability, Agriculture & Health said: ""We are delighted with the progress across our dairy, beef and lamb groups and are excited about starting the process with our pig and poultry producers."

Simon Heath. ABN's Commercial Director commented: "This initiative is another example of how supply chain collaboration, innovation and partnerships can add value to everyone involved. Producing food in an efficient and sustainable manner is one of the key requisites for our pig and poultry industry. It's a subject area that is gaining more and more interest from consumers and we need to ensure we are ready to meet the challenges that will be asked of our industry. This initiative also represents another key differentiation point when compared to our worldwide supply competitors which has to be a value point for British agriculture.

"AB Sustain is a growing and ever more important part of our group of businesses. A group that is looking to be more creative whilst adding real value to our customers. We represent so much more than simply being leading suppliers of animal nutrition."