WWF AND LIDL GB PLAN TO CUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF UK SHOPPING BASKETS BY 50%

PUBLISHING DATE
March 16, 2023

Conservation organisation, WWF, has announced that Lidl GB has become the first discounter to sign WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature which aims to halve the environmental impact of the average UK shopping basket by 2030.

Lidl is the UK’s sixth largest supermarket and joins Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, in the project. It means that 60% of the UK retail grocery market is now committed to working with WWF towards this target.

WWF

The global food sector drives about 60% of global deforestation and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions so WWF is working with UK supermarkets to address their environmental impacts in seven key areas which make up the WWF Basket:

  • climate
  • deforestation and conversion of habitat
  • agricultural production
  • marine
  • diets
  • food waste
  • 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 more recent joint retailers’ climate action focused on reducing supply chain emissions. Ryan McDonnell, CEO at Lidl GB said: “We’re continuing to demonstrate that affordability and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive. 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 need to see a clear focus on delivery”

WWF’s CEO, Tanya Steele, added: “Our food system is placing an unbearable toll on the planet: it’s driving climate chaos and fuelling the destruction of nature. We welcome Lidl’s decision to join us to help bring our world back to life, before it’s too late – now we need to see a clear focus on delivery.

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

Data submitted for the inaugural WWF Basket Report called What’s in Store for Our Planet: The Impact of UK Shopping Baskets on Climate & Nature, set a baseline for progress, but also showed the size of the gap that must be closed if retailers are to meet WWF’s 2030 target.


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