Lidl has revised a 2030 target for reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 80% to 70%, pointing to the business’ founding of a shipping line as explanation.
The discounter said today: “By 2030, Lidl will reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% from a 2019 baseline.”
It marks a change since 2021, when it said: “By 2030, Lidl internationally aims to reduce its operational emissions [Scope 1 and 2] by 80% (compared to 2019) across all countries it operates in.”
Explaining the change, Lidl said it was still on track to meet the 80% reduction target announced in 2021. However, it said that in 2022 it had founded Tailwind Shipping Lines, which would lead to an increase in direct emissions.
Although initial measures were being implemented at Tailwind Shipping Lines, the business was dependent on established standards and technological advances in the shipping industry, Lidl said.
It said a 70% reduction remained very ambitious and Lidl was still on the way to hitting targets in line with the 1.5°C Paris climate change agreement.
Lidl also set out new targets for reducing Scope 3 emissions, representing those occuring indireclty in its value chain and more than 90% of its total impact.
It said that by 2034, it would reduce Scope 3 agriculture, forestry, and other land use greenhouse gas emissions by 42.4% from a 2022 baseline.
The supermarket also said it was committing to cutting 35% of its absolute Scope 3 energy and industry sector greenhouse gas emissions by 2034 from a 2022 baseline year.
It said it was making progress towards an earlier target announced in 2021 for strategic suppliers responsible for 75% of product-related Scope 3 emissions to have climate targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) by 2026.
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The discounter also said today that overarching targets set for all companies in Schwarz Group, its ultimate parent, were currently being validated by SBTi at group level.
Meanwhile, Lidl-specific climate targets contributed to the group-wide climate targets and were based on SBTi methodologies, it said.
“Tackling climate change is a huge priority for us at Lidl; our commitment to achieving net-zero through our new quantified targets demonstrates the scale of our ambition,” said Lidl GB CEO Ryan McDonnell.
“We know that collaboration will be central to our aims – from engaging customers on our progress to working closely with suppliers to develop products more sustainably. We’re excited for the journey ahead and are absolutely clear on our mission to deliver the most sustainable product range at the best possible price for shoppers.”
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