The global retail giant, Lidl has signed a new five-year partnership with WWF to address urgent ecological challenges by transforming its value chain across 31 countries to enable shoppers better access to more sustainable choices in store.
The partnership has been billed by the pair as a new ‘cornerstone in the commitment to sustainability’ that Lidl has been actively driving forward in recent years. The common goal of the partnership is to help customers make more sustainable choices when shopping while ‘encouraging business models that work in harmony with nature.’
“In our role as one of the largest food retailers, we are aware of our responsibility and our influence,” said Christoph Pohl, chief purchasing officer at Lidl International. “We take responsibility with the aim of doing business within planetary boundaries.
“For Lidl, sustainable management is not only a question of attitude, but also the basis for the future viability of our business model. With the support and expertise of WWF, we will now take our commitment to sustainability to the next level.
“We can only overcome major global challenges such as climate change and nature loss by working together. That’s why we believe in strong partnerships to work together to provide more sustainable choices.”
This newest development follows the announcement last year that Lidl GB had become the first discount supermarket to sign WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature, while the two have been working together across other individual markets such as Switzerland and Austria over the last few years to drive down the environmental impact of its customers’ shopping baskets.
The partnership with WWF will now support Lidl’s goal to provide more sustainable choices and shape sustainable transformation across its supply chains through initiatives including conservation and promotion of biodiversity; responsible management of water resources; climate protection through science-based climate targets; building and expanding traceable, deforestation-free and conversion-free supply chains; and responsible sourcing of critical raw materials such as palm oil, soy, cocoa, tea, coffee, wood, and paper products.
Lidl will also act upon responsible sourcing of fish and seafood as well as safeguarding of critical fishing grounds and stocks; engaging in advocacy for more conscious, sustainable diets and consumption; and the reduction of food waste.
Kirsten Schuijt, director general WWF International, said: “The way we produce and consumer food and energy is one of the leading drivers of nature loss and climate change. In order to halt and reverse what is the biggest crisis facing humanity today, we need bold and urgent actions towards changing our food and energy systems, and the food and retail sector has a big role to play in driving this change.
“As one of the world’s largest retailers, Lidl has enormous international leverage to drive sustainable change in the food and retail industry. WWF is proud to accompany Lidl on this journey on which we will both support and challenge the retailer.”
