Plant vs Dairy Milk: No Clear Sustainability Winner
A new environmental comparison highlights that while plant-based milks such as oat, soy and almond are often viewed as more sustainable than dairy, each option has its own environmental trade-offs. In Australia, 96% of people still consume dairy milk, while about 42% purchase plant-based milk, with many households using multiple types.
Dairy consumption has also declined from around 100 litres per person per year in 2015 to 85 litres in 2025, reflecting growing interest in plant-based alternatives. In terms of emissions, plant-based beverages typically produce around 1 kg of CO₂ per litre, compared with about 3 kg of CO₂ per litre for dairy milk, giving them a lower carbon footprint.
However, sustainability varies by ingredient: oat milk generally has the lowest water use, dairy and soy follow depending on farming conditions, while almond milk has the highest water footprint because almond trees require intensive irrigation in hot, dry climates. Processing also differs significantly, as plant-based drinks often require additional steps such as soaking, heating and fortification, and research suggests processing and packaging can account for up to 79% of their environmental impact compared with about 4% for cow’s milk.
Experts note there is no single “most sustainable” milk, suggesting that a mix of options may help reduce overall environmental impact depending on nutritional needs and production conditions.
Source: Dairynews7x7 7th March, 2026 Read full story here
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