Lidl strengthens climate commitment: Net-zero by 2050

11.11.2024

Lidl is committed to net-zero by 2050, based on new ambitious climate targets in the supply chain. Lidl is thus once again significantly intensifying its commitment to sustainable business practices and climate protection as part of its international CSR strategy. Lidl has already recorded significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of 52% across all countries compared to 2019.

Lidl, one of Europe's largest food retailers, is committed to net-zero by 2050 across all business units and supply chains. This means that the company will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as possible by 2050. The net-zero target includes emissions in Scope 3, i.e. Lidl's upstream and downstream value chain. This is where more than 90 percent of the company's total emissions are generated.

Joining forces to reduce emissions

In order to set course for net-zero, Lidl is expanding its climate strategy to include new concrete targets in Scope 3: by 2034, the company aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, forestry and other land use by 42.4 percent ("FLAG emissions"). Lidl is also committed to reducing 35 percent of its emissions in the energy and industry sector ("E+I emissions") over the same period. ¹

To this end, Lidl will work even more closely with its partners and suppliers in future. The company has committed its largest suppliers, who are responsible for 75 percent of product-related Scope 3 emissions, to reduction targets by 2026 in accordance with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a global initiative that supports companies in setting science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the latest climate science. Lidl supports and enables its suppliers to achieve these targets through appropriate measures.

Climate strategy milestones already achieved

To date, Lidl has already saved 52 percent of its operational CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 & 2)². In particular, the use of renewable energies has contributed to this: since March 1, 2022, Lidl has been using 100 percent green electricity³ in all stores, logistics centers and office buildings. Other measures have also been successfully implemented, such as

• Setting Science-Based Targets within our supply chain and committing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
• Increasing the use of recycled materials in our product assortment and packaging.
• Reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption for Lidl’s Tailwind Shipping Lines vessels and chartered ships by using weather routing, leveraging wind and currents for efficient routes.
• Purchasing renewable energy to cover 100% of the electricity used in our operations.
• Offsetting CO2 emissions from employee business travel with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

"Lidl has already made significant progress in climate protection. As the largest sourcing arm for Lidl International’s operations, we play a crucial role in the supply chain, enabling our stores to offer customers products at affordable prices that are in line with our climate targets," says Robert Maier, Chief Executive Officer, Lidl & Kaufland Asia. "Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. With ambitious goals and determined action, we at Lidl & Kaufland Asia are taking on this task and doing our part to be part of the solution."

Science Based Targets: committed to science

The companies of Schwarz Group joined the Science Based Targets initiative back in 2020 to help meet the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement. Lidl has formulated its own climate strategy with additional climate targets as part of the Schwarz Group companies' climate strategy.

Lidl takes responsibility and contributes to achieving the Paris climate protection goals with its climate offensive as part of its international CSR strategy.

Detailed information can be found under Responsibility - Lidl & Kaufland Asia.

¹ in each case compared to 2022
² Status financial year 2023 compared to 2019.
³ With the exception of supply contracts that cannot be influenced by Lidl, e.g. for individual rental properties with electricity supply commitments.