Lidl’s climate targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been blown off course after the discounter founded a shipping line.
Lidl said in 2021 that it would reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions – meaning those from its direct operations – at international level by 80% by 2030, from a 2019 baseline.
On Wednesday it revised the target to a 70% reduction by 2030, using the same baseline year of 2019.
Explaining the change, Lidl claimed it was still on track to meet the target it set 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 to reduce emissions, it was dependent on established standards and technological advances in the shipping industry, Lidl 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, it added.
Tailwind Shipping Lines was founded in July 2022 by Lidl’s German parent Lidl Stiftung amid soaring container costs, shipping restrictions and long sea freight delays in the aftermath of national lockdowns and the 2021 Suez Canal blockage.
Hamburg-based Tailwind has eight container ships operating on two routes, from either China or Bangladesh to Europe, transporting third-party freight as well as Lidl’s own non-food goods.
Lidl also set out new targets for Scope 3 emissions, representing those occurring indirectly in its value chain and more than 90% of its total impact.
By 2034 it said it would reduce Scope 3 agriculture, forestry, and other land use greenhouse gas emissions by 42.4% from a 2022 baseline.
Lidl also said it was committing to cutting 35% of its absolute Scope 3 energy and industry sector 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 said overarching targets set for all companies in Schwarz Group, its ultimate parent, were currently being validated by SBTi, at group level. In the meantime, Lidl-specific climate targets were based on SBTi methodologies, it added.
“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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