Lidl GB says it has become the first discount supermarket to sign WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature, joining Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose in cross-sector sustainability push.
WWF has announced that Lidl GB has become the first discounter to sign WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature, which is an agreement to work with WWF to halve the environmental impact of the average UK shopping basket by 2030.
Lidl, the UK’s sixth largest supermarket, joining the Commitment means 60% of the UK retail grocery market is now working with WWF towards this target.
Ryan McDonnell, CEO at Lidl GB, commented: “As the first UK discounter to work with WWF on this, we’re continuing to demonstrate that affordability and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Sustainability has been core to the Lidl business model for many years.
“Sustainability has been core to the Lidl business model for many years. 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.
“By signing up to the WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature, we are joining an important movement to make the UK food system more sustainable and build on the momentum of existing initiatives we have in place.”
WWF is working with supermarkets across the UK to address their environmental impacts in seven areas: climate, deforestation and conversion of habitat, agricultural production, marine, diets, food waste and packaging.
As well as setting science-based net-zero targets aligned with 1.5 degrees across all scopes, Lidl has also confirmed alignment with WWF’s more recent joint retailers’ climate action focused on reducing supply chain emissions.
We welcome Lidl’s decision to join Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose in working with WWF.
Commenting on the agreement, Tanya Steele, Chief Executive at WWF, said: “Our food system is placing an unbearable toll on the planet: it’s driving climate chaos and fuelling the destruction of nature in the UK and overseas, undermining our resilience and putting our future at risk.
“We welcome Lidl’s decision to join Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose in working with WWF to help bring our world back to life before it’s too late – now we need to see a clear focus on delivery. Success will require all hands on deck – we urge all UK retailers to step up and commit to the WWF Basket target and accelerate action year on year.”
