As a member of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan since 2018, Lidl has been committed to collaboratively working toward the protection of biodiversity and the conservation of native ecosystems in line with Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan. Present in over 200 locations across the country, we have been busy bees looking at ways to further support local pollinators, surrounding land and biodiversity outside our stores and warehouses.

Declining pollinators such as bees and butterflies are considered an essential part of the team at Lidl Ireland in producing food, as they transfer pollen, aide in the fertilisation of plants and flowers, produce seeds, and ensure a new generation of greenery is produced every day.

As part of our ‘A Better Tomorrow’ strategy, we launched our first Pollinator-Friendly Store in Youghal, Co Cork in the Summer of 2020.

Lidl’s Pollinator-Friendly Stores are an innovative concept whereby suitable surrounding areas at Lidl Ireland store locations are optimised to create an area of pollination promotion. Featuring reduced mowing practices, wildflower planting, an insect hotel and informative signage, these areas can look overgrown but are in fact a haven for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies, which are essential for the production of the fresh fruit and vegetables that Lidl Ireland is renowned for.

We have now over twenty pollinator-friendly stores and we are committed to the continued rollout of the concept as we continue to expand across the country.

The loss of biodiversity poses an existential threat to ecosystems. As a food supplier, Lidl is aware of its responsibility to preserve ecosystems.

Against this backdrop, Lidl is working with experts on sustainable food systems and agricultural experts to develop the first biodiversity focused cultivation standard for the conventional cultivation of fruit and vegetables in Europe. This standard is developed as an add on to the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance Standard (IFA) and thus integrated into an established certification system.

In the future, the standard will be available to all market participants – from producers to distributors so that they can work effectively to protect biodiversity.

We have a strict policy concerning pesticides, which indicates that our fruit and vegetables may contain no more than one third of the maximum level permitted by EU law. Also, all our wood products are certified FSC or PFC or coming from recycled wood sources. Our suppliers work hard to meet these requirements, which ensures we are supporting biodiversity on a daily basis.

We are continuing to build green roofs for selected new store builds which don’t have solar panels. We have three stores with green roofs, namely Shankill, East Wall, and Glenageary. Partially covered in vegetation, green roofs absorb rainwater and provide insulation, reducing the need for in store drainage systems. Green roofs help to cool urban environments, improve air quality and increase urban biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife.

We have established a Wildflower Meadow and Native Tree area at our Distribution Centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The meadow is located on the site of our new Lidl Farm, and is helping to educate visitors to the Farm on the impact that biodiversity can have on the environment.