Lidl strengthens its climate commitment: Net-Zero by 2050

Lidl is committed to Net-Zero by 2050, based on new ambitious climate targets in the supply chain, intensifying significantly its commitment to sustainable business practices and climate protection as part of its international CSR strategy. The company 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% ("FLAG emissions"). Lidl is also committed to reducing 35% of its emissions in the energy and industry sector ("E+I emissions") over the same period.

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% 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

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

• Expansion of e-mobility and e-charging stations. Specifically, in Cyprus it has 2 electric cars and 5 charging stations in 4 stores nationwide and in its central warehouses in Larnaca.
• Installation and operation of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of 7 stores and 1 logistic center.
• Use of LED lighting in the sales area in 100 % of our stores.
• Use of heat pump for heat production in 100 % of our facilities.
• Use of natural refrigerants for product cooling.
• Avoiding transporting fruits by air to save emissions.

"Lidl has already made significant progress in climate protection. We want to offer our customers products at affordable prices that are in line with our climate targets" mentioned Martin Brandenburger, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Lidl Cyprus. "Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. With ambitious goals and determined action, we at Lidl are taking on this task and doing our part to be part of the solution".

Science Based Targets: committed to science

Science-based climate targets, which the company has been pursuing since 2020, are a central component of Lidl's climate strategy. Lidl has formulated its own climate strategy with additional climate targets as part of the Schwarz Group companies' climate strategy. Lidl's climate targets contribute to the science-based targets of the Schwarz Group companies and are based on the scientific methods of the SBTi. The Schwarz Group joined the initiative back in August 2020 to help meet the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement.

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 Sustainability - Lidl Cyprus.