The Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) is proud to recognise Oatly as the world’s first Climate Solutions company in the food and beverage sector. Oatly, a member of ERI since late 2024, has already put tremendous work into aligning with the criteria of the Climate Solutions Framework. With the publication of their new Sustainability Plan last week, they’ve now formalised a long-term commitment to reducing emissions from their oat-based dairy alternatives and continue to challenge what they describe as a broken food system.
What is a Climate Solution?
The Climate Solutions Framework — developed by Oxford Net Zero and the Exponential Roadmap Initiative — identifies companies whose growth is essential to systemic change. These are companies whose products replace more carbon-intensive alternatives and whose business models align with deep decarbonisation. The Framework requires companies to compare the full lifecycle emissions of their products against a market-weighted average — in this case, for “milk-type” beverages, both dairy and non-dairy. Oatly’s footprint is already more than 50% lower than the average, and they are committed to maintaining that trajectory as the sector decarbonises.
While the Climate Solutions Framework complements targets set through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), it also expands the lens — recognising that certain companies, like Oatly, may need to grow in order to enable broader system-wide emissions reductions. It adds a critical layer of analysis, focused on the impact companies have beyond their own boundaries by shifting value chains, consumer behaviour and entire sectors.
Leading the transformation
Oatly is helping drive sector-wide transformation by enabling emissions reductions across food and beverage supply chains. Their qualification is especially significant at a time when climate ambition in the private sector must be both visible and credible — and when systemic change is urgently needed.
As Johan Falk, co-founder and CEO of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, puts it:
To shift the global economy, we must scale climate solutions exponentially. Companies delivering these solutions should be recognised for their low-emission alternatives to conventional products—helping shift industries, societies and countries onto a science-aligned path to net zero. We are proud to recognise Oatly as a climate solutions company in the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, and we applaud their willingness to lead boldly when it matters most.
Jean-Christophe Flatin, CEO of Oatly, adds:
Climate action feels like it’s fallen off the agenda. Not at Oatly, where we will not let the fear of failure prevent us from pushing forward. I am proud we have launched our most comprehensive Sustainability Plan to date, acknowledging the interdependencies of climate, nature, food and people for the first time, whilst being transparent about the journey we are on and the lessons we’re learning along the way. Becoming the first food and drink “Climate Solutions Company” is a big responsibility and we recognise more than ever that we can’t do this by ourselves. As well as working with partners to ensure our Plan is credible and on the right track, we’re convening experts within our four impact areas to collaborate and crack challenges together.
The food system is among the largest contributors to global climate emissions — accounting for roughly a third of all human-caused climate impact — and livestock in particular places a disproportionate burden on the planet’s resources. Oatly’s qualification is a clear example of how bold action, underpinned by science-based frameworks, can reshape entire industries. It also sends a signal to others with transformative potential: this is the time to step up.
Watch ERI and Oatly’s Caroline Reid discuss what this qualification means to Oatly and their ongoing work:
