Lidl Partners With WWF On Five Year Strategy

Lidl, a major retailer, and WWF, a leading global conservation organisation, have launched a new five-year strategic partnership across 31 countries.

The extended partnership with WWF will concentrate on improving sustainability across Lidl's entire supply chain, tackling global ecological challenges. This initiative aims to broaden access to sustainable choices for households and promote business models that operate in harmony with nature and within planetary limits.

The partnership is a new cornerstone in the commitment to sustainability that Lidl has been driving forward for years as part of its international sustainability strategy. The common goal of this partnership is to enable customers to make even more sustainable choices.

Christoph Pohl, Head of Purchasing Lidl International: "In our role as one of the largest food retailers, we are aware of our responsibility and our influence. We take responsibility with the aim of doing business within planetary boundaries. For Lidl, sustainable management is not only a question of attitude, but also the basis for the future viability of our business model. With the support and expertise of WWF, we will now take our commitment to sustainability to the next level. We can only overcome major global challenges such as climate change and nature loss by working together. That’s why we believe in strong partnerships to work together to provide more sustainable choices."

Kirsten Schuijt, Director General WWF International, added: "The way we produce and consume food and energy is one of the leading drivers of nature loss and climate change. In order to halt and reverse what is the biggest crisis facing humanity today, we need bold and urgent actions towards changing our food and energy systems, and the food and retail sector has a big role to play in driving this change. As one of the largest retailers, Lidl has enormous international leverage to drive sustainable change in the food and retail industry. WWF is proud to accompany Lidl on this journey on which we will both support and challenge the retailer."

This recent development builds on last year's announcement when Lidl GB became the first discount supermarket to commit to WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature. This commitment aims to reduce the environmental impact of UK shopping baskets by 50 per cent by 2030.

Lidl and WWF have already worked in markets such as Switzerland and Austria in recent years. This new partnership extends this collaboration globally to drive sustainability on an international scale. Lidl aims to further simplify sustainable shopping for its global customers and collaborate with WWF to offer more sustainable choices, actively contributing to the sustainable transformation.

The partnership with WWF will support this goal through focusing on the following key areas:

· Conservation and promotion of biodiversity

· Responsible management of water resources

· Climate protection through science-based climate targets

· Building and expanding traceable, deforestation-free and conversion-free supply chains

· Responsible sourcing of critical raw materials such as palm oil, soy, cocoa, tea, coffee, wood, and paper products

· Responsible sourcing of fish and seafood and safeguarding of critical fishing grounds and stocks

· Engaging in advocacy for more conscious, sustainable diets and consumption

· Reduction of food waste

Apart from Lidl's efforts within its own supply chain, the company will also contribute to various WWF conservation projects aimed at preserving the environment in the regions from which it sources its products.