--- title: "ILMA pilot – towards carbon-neutral dairy farms" date: 2026-07-28 author: "Sanni Jussila" featured_image: "https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/07/TEK_0104.jpg" --- # ILMA pilot – towards carbon-neutral dairy farms # Towards the first carbon-neutral dairy farms In 2024, Valio launched the five-year ILMA pilot programme in which four dairy farms in different parts of Finland are taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their milk production towards zero. Follow our journey together with the farms! A carbon-neutral dairy farm produces and sequesters the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Through the Valio ILMA pilot, we’ll have the opportunity to put identified, Climate Programme-aligned emission reduction actions into practice at Valio dairy farms. The pilot aims to determine how concrete actions taken at the farms affect milk production emissions, how the actions work in the day-to-day operations of the farms, and what their cost implications are. In addition, a biodiversity inventory will be carried out at the dairy farms and will be used as the basis for a biodiversity improvement plant for the farms. ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/07/Valio_Virrat_2024_KIVIRANTA-27.jpg)## What exactly is this pilot about? ”Valio and its dairy farms has been very focused on climate work since 2018. However, comprehensive practical experience on the impact of the actions at the farm level has so far been lacking. Now is the right time to take all the research knowledge and practical experience we have gained in the past and put it into practice on the farm,” says Valio Development Manager **Robert Harmoinen**. [Read more about the pilot](https://www.valio.com/news/valio-launches-the-carbon-neutral-dairy-farm-pilot-target-is-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-of-milk-to-zero-in-five-years/) ## The Luoma dairy farm is happy to be involved in the study At the Luoma farm, carbon farming and solar power have been part of their actions even before the pilot project began. Farm owner Jaakko Luoma believes that change starts with dairy farms. He is curious about the new ways of doing things and is happy to be involved in shaping the future of dairy production. [Learn more about the Luoma farm](https://www.valio.com/articles/the-luoma-farm-explores-ways-to-reduce-emissions/) ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/07/TEK_0055.jpg) ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/07/Valio_Virrat_2024_KIVIRANTA-35.jpg)## Kalle Koivunen is investing in the future of his farm ”I want to make progress and not be complacent. It often feels like producers are being blamed for climate issues. I want to show that we’re working to advance responsible dairy production, and I expect this pilot project to provide more concrete steps and new ways to reduce the farm’s carbon footprint,” says Kalle Koivunen from the Tulimaito dairy farm. [Learn more about the Tulimaito farm](https://www.valio.com/articles/kalle-koivunen-is-reducing-his-farms-carbon-footprint/) ## The Rauhala farm cherishes biodiversity The Rauhala dairy farm is a medium-sized farm in Northern Ostrobothnia. On the farm grounds, your attention is drawn to the two farmhouses standing very close together and the beautiful lake view. ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/07/20200706_210937-800x600.jpg) ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/07/TEK_0070.jpg)## At Likolahti Farm, development and continuous improvement are part of everyday operations Mikko Heikkinen, Chairman of Valio’s Supervisory Board and co-owner of Likolahti Oy’s farm, is motivated in the pilot specifically by the farm-level actions being taken and by increasing the profitability of the business. Heikkinen believes that by striving towards carbon neutrality, farms can save on costs and increase profits. [Learn more about the Likolahti farm](https://www.valio.com/articles/practical-testing-of-carbon-neutral-milk-production-actions-on-mikko-heikkinens-farm-the-goal-is-a-more-economically-viable-business/) ## Are you looking for [Climate and nature work](https://www.valio.com/sustainability/climate-nature-work/) [Valio’s climate programme](https://www.valio.com/sustainability/climate-nature-work/climate-programme) [Carbon footprint of raw milk](https://www.valio.com/sustainability/climate-nature-work/dairy-farms/carbon-footprint-raw-milk) [Back to the sustainability section homepage ](https://www.valio.com/sustainability/)