Lidl partners with WWF to halve environmental impact by 2030

Lidl has become the first discount supermarket to partner with WWF in a bid to halve the environmental impact of the average UK shopping basket by 2030.

Signing the organisation’s Retailer’s Commitment for Nature, Lidl is joining Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, meaning 60% of the UK grocery market is now working with WWF to reach the target.

This comes as the global food sector drives 60% of deforestation and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.


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To tackle this, WWF is working with UK supermarkets to address their enviornmental impacts in seven key areas including climate, deforestation and conversion of habitat, agricultural production, marine, diets, food waste and packaging.

As well as setting science-based net-zero targets aligned with 1.5 degrees across all scopes, Lidl has also confirmed alignment to WWF’s joint retailers’ climate action focus on reducing supply chain emissions.

“As the first UK discounter to work with WWF on this, we’re continuing to demonstrate that affordability and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive, Lidl GB CEO, Ryan McDonnell said.

“Sustainability has been core to the Lidl business model for many years. We firmly believe it is our responsibility, through innovation, investment and active leadership, to build a better future – for our business, our agri suppliers, the people we interact with and our planet.

“We are joining an important movement to make the UK food system more sustainable and build on the momentum of existing initiatives we have in place.”

WWF chief executive, Tanya Steele said: “Our food system is placing an unbearable toll on the planet: it’s driving climate chaos and fuelling the destruction of nature in the UK and overseas, undermining our resilience and putting our future at risk.

“Tacking the food system’s excessive environmental impact, while continuing to produce healthy and affordable food, is a hugr challenge. But driving change from farm to fork and accross supply chain that span the globe is an essential step for our food security.”

She added that the organisation welcomes Lidl’s decision as it urges “all UK retailers to step up and commit to the WWF Basket target and accelerate action year on year.”  

DiscountersNewsSupermarketsSustainability

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