- Lidl GB, as part of the wider Schwarz Group, has set ambitious carbon reduction targets to decarbonise its own operations and supply chain
- Discounter pledges to reduce emissions from its own operations (Scope 1 & 2[1]) aligned to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees by 2030
- Lidl will be working collaboratively with suppliers to establish their own climate targets and strategic plans by 2026
- Supporting activities include producing the UK’s first carbon neutral[2] cheddar by the end of 2021 and banning sales of peat from 2022, two years ahead of the UK government deadline
Lidl GB has today announced that, as part of wider commitments made by the Schwarz Group, it has set ambitious climate targets, and will become carbon neutral[3] by 2022.
The discounter aims to reduce CO2 emissions from its own operations (Scope 1 & 2), aligned to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. By 2030, Lidl internationally aims to reduce its operational emissions by 80% (compared to 2019) across all countries it operates in.
To achieve this, Lidl will focus on cutting carbon emissions across its stores and distribution centres, including through installing solar panels on all new stores, where permissable, and its continued investment in the latest refrigeration and lighting technologies to improve overall energy efficiency. The discounter has also committed to operating 350 electric vehicle charging points at its stores by 2022, after it opened its 100th EV charging point earlier this year as part of its commitment to support customers’ journeys to lower their carbon impact.
Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB, said: “With the UK hosting COP26 in November, this is a crucial year in the fight against climate change and we recognise our responsibility to reduce our emissions to help tackle this important issue. As part of the Schwarz Group, Lidl has a presence in 32 countries around the world and more than 310,000 employees globally. We’re therefore one of Europe’s largest retail businesses and through these ambitious targets we hope to make a significant contribution by not only rapidly decarbonising our own operations but also supporting our suppliers to do the same.
“As a discounter, it is ingrained in us to be constantly looking to maximise efficiency and reduce waste. Whether it’s how we heat and light our stores, or how we transport food from our suppliers to our warehouses, we are continuing to find ways to cut emissions across our business.”
To tackle scope 3, which represents over 98 % of all emissions, Lidl will oblige suppliers, representing 75 % of product-related scope 3 emissions, to commit to their own climate protection targets according to the methodology of the Science Based Targets initiative by 2026. This will be delivered through a comprehensive supplier engagement and learning programme across the Group, including supporting farmers on Lidl GB’s Grassroots programme to conduct carbon footprints on their businesses and develop carbon reduction plans.
This builds on Lidl’s existing partnerships with suppliers to boost sustainability, such as its initiative with Wyke Farms to produce a supermarket-first carbon neutral cheddar. Lidl is also making a leading commitment by banning peat from its compost range from 2022, two years ahead of the UK governments recently announced target, in efforts to support peatland restoration in the UK.
Comments are closed.