Protecting the Environment

Carbon Reduction

PROTECTING THE CLIMATE – TOGETHER ON THE WAY TO NET-ZERO!

As part of our ‘A Better Tomorrow’ sustainability strategy, Lidl is committed to net-zero by 2050, which means that we will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as possible by 2050 and offset unavoidable emissions. We have made a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 46 per cent on operational emissions by 2030 which aligns with the Paris Agreement’s global 1.5-degree decarbonisation plan.

We are committed to driving our targets through internal activities as well as initiatives that support our network of suppliers and customers. We have committed our largest suppliers, who are responsible for 75 percent of product-related Scope 3 emissions, to reduction targets in accordance with the criteria of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) by the end of 2026. Lidl also supports and enables its suppliers to achieve the targets through appropriate measures such as training and the Supplier Engagement Programme and the rollout of solar panels, will cement our position as Ireland’s most sustainable retailer.

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.

Renewable Energy Programme

In 2018, we won the award for “Energy Project of the Year” at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Awards, for our Renewable Energy Programme. The SEAI is Ireland’s national sustainable energy authority and the awards recognise excellence in all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Solar Energy

We use solar energy in a number of our properties and in 2018 committed to adding solar PV systems to all suitable new stores and refurbishments. By the end of 2019 we will have 11 stores with solar panels equipped. Our solar panels on our Newbridge distribution facility will be the largest in the county and reduce the premises carbon output by 473 tonnes annually, the electricity usage equivalent to that of 240 homes.

Sourcing Green Electricity

Since March 2018, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland converted to using only renewable electricity, reducing our carbon footprint significantly.  We have committed to only sourcing renewable electricity in the future.

Transport

At Lidl, we pride ourselves on offering freshness and availability to our customers at all times. We run a just-in-time operating model that keeps store warehouses small and reduces the stock carried by the entire organisation. Our delivery structure enables us to guarantee the best possible freshness, even of perishable items, as well as allowing us to organise transportation in the most efficient, and as such, environmentally friendly way.

While EV Stations is an investment by Lidl, we know that with more and more customers shopping with us every week, the  expansion of the network of public charge points will make electric vehicles more attractive to customers.  We want to ensure we are encouraging and supporting the wider public to address the major challenges of improving air quality and curbing the use of fossil fuels.

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Food Waste

Lidl holds resource efficiency as a key differentiator to help continue to offer the best value to our customers. We place a great emphasis on ensuring we have the greatest available offering for our customers to enjoy in store whilst also being conscious of the perishable nature of food, striking a balance between the two. We have been members of the Retail Action Group on Food Waste since it was established in 2018 and regularly collaborate and report to make progress in this area.

Some categories of food are more perishable than others and through FoodCloud, we can redistribute surplus food to charity. Also keep an eye out in store for our Waste Not section in the chiller wherein chilled products at best before dates (and perfectly safe to eat) receive a huge price reduction. For the food which can’t be redistributed to charity or sold at a lower price, we use a process called Anaerobic Digestion where the food is converted into energy.

As a food retailer, Lidl has a responsibility to take leadership for minimising food losses and effective food waste measurement systems. Find out how you can reduce food waste and save money by selecting ‘Learn more’ below.

Our Approach to Plastic

Lidl is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and fully supports the need to tackle the important issue of plastic waste. However, we are very aware of the need of reducing the use of plastics in our products packaging and replacing them with more sustainable alternatives. We are also working on increasing the recyclability of the materials.  For this reason, we have made ambitious packaging commitments to support the circular economy.

Lidl Ireland Packaging Commitments:

• By 2022, we will reduce the volume of plastic packaging by 20%.
• By 2025, 100% of our own-brand packaging will be widely recyclable, reusable, or renewable.
• By 2025, 50% of the materials used in our own-brand packaging will come from recycled materials.
• We stopped selling many single-use plastic items such as plastic drinking straws, disposable plastic cups, glasses, plates and cutlery, etc., and we have replaced them for biodegradable, paper or wood alternatives.
• We have banned plastic microbeads in cosmetic and household cleaning products.

Prevented Ocean Plastic:

We are the first retailer in Ireland to commit to incorporating Prevented Ocean Plastic in our own-label product ranges. Approximately 750,000 bottles will be saved from entering the ocean per year by implementing the use of Prevented Ocean Plastic within the five lines of Lidl product. The collection of those bottles will equate to a year worth of well-paid work for an average bottle collector in predominately poor coastal regions around the globe. To learn more about the implementation of Prevented Ocean Plastic, click here.