Our partnership with WWF

Climate change

We’ve set ourselves climate targets according to the methodologies of the Science Based Target initiative

Climate change is a global challenge and we are aware of our responsibility. That is why we are making climate protection a priority in our partnership with WWF. We have committed to reducing our emissions in accordance with science-based climate targets, having set climate targets based on the methodology of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to achieve net zero by 2050. This means that we are not only reducing our operational footprint, but also the climate impact of our traded products.

We’re developing a climate and nature financing plan

As part of the partnership, we are working with WWF to develop and pilot a concept for climate and nature-based financing based on our remaining emissions. The financing approach aims to maximise co-benefits such as biodiversity and sustainable water management while respecting social protection measures. The financing plan will be linked to corresponding nature conservation projects.

Further details on our commitment to climate: https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/sustainability/climate-change

Biodiversity

Water

Water

We are working to identify freshwater hotspots and risks, then implement a responsible water strategy

Using the WWF Water Risk Filter, we are reviewing our assessments and targets relating to freshwater risks to create a more comprehensive strategy for responsible water use.  In collaboration with WWF, we will identify and address water risks throughout our value chain.

This work will build on our existing commitments to WRAP’s Water Roadmap and the WWF Basket, with the main aim that 50% of fresh food is sourced from regions with sustainable water management by 2030.

As a part of this we are currently helping to fund three collective action projects in major sourcing regions to address issues such as water pollution and availability. Through LEAF Marque certification 100% of our British fruit and veg suppliers will also be required to have water management plans in place that ensure efficient and responsible water use.

Further details on our commitment to water: https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/sustainability/save-water2

Raw materials

Together for transparent and traceable supply chains: Lidl & WWF 
Through our partnership with WWF, we work to continually improve the international sourcing of critical raw materials. Our focus is on systematically building traceable, deforestation-free, and conversion-free supply chains. The following goals apply to our private-label products (standard and promotional assortments) in all Lidl countries where the international partnership with WWF is active.

Deforestation- and conversion-free raw material procurement
We increasingly source high-risk raw materials - such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, pulp, and paper - from deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains and actively manage our raw material strategy to address risks for our private-label products. This approach consistently implements the requirements of upcoming and applicable UK and EU deforestation regulations (including EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and UK Forest Risk Commodities (UK FRC) and aligns with the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFI). We and our suppliers work according to the binding requirements and cut-off dates of the AFI and applicable UK and EU regulations.* This applies to the high-risk raw materials soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, pulp, and paper.

* Each standard defines a cut-off date, marking the point after which deforestation for growing raw materials is prohibited at a specific location. These dates vary between standards.

Traceability and supplier engagement
We require all new and existing suppliers to adopt a policy by the end of the 2026 financial year ensuring that their operations are free from deforestation, land conversion, and exploitation.

Specific measures in raw material supply chains

Soy
As part of the partnership, we are committed to creating fully traceable soy supply chains that are free from deforestation, conversion, and exploitation. To achieve this, we will thoroughly review the origin of the soy used directly in our supply chain (alternative proteins and soy products) as well as in the feed of selected animal products such as dairy, poultry, eggs, and pork. This analysis will help us identify areas for action. Furthermore, we will collaborate with the Collaboration for Forests and Agriculture (CFA) to assess and address issues related to deforestation, land conversion, and exploitation within our own soy supply chains. Our long-term goal is to ensure that our soy supply chains are fully traceable and free from deforestation, conversion, and exploitation. In 2021, we became a founding signatory of the UK Soy Manifesto, committing to physically traceable, verified deforestation-and conversion-free (vDCF) soy. Additionally, we are an active member of the Retail Soy Group (RSG), an independent coalition of international retailers formed in 2013 to drive sustainable soy sourcing across animal feed and human food supply chains.

Palm (kernel) oil
Since the beginning of the 2025 financial year, we source only traceable palm and palm kernel oil that is free from deforestation, land conversion, and exploitation. To ensure this, 100% of our palm and palm kernel oil used in food and non-food products must comply with the "RSPO Segregated" or "recognised UK and EU Organic" standards. Furthermore, 100% of derivatives should at least comply with the "RSPO Mass Balance" standard, and we commit to working towards segregation.

Cellulose and paper
We are working towards sourcing traceable, deforestation and conversion free paper and pulp products. We are developing a comprehensive long-term strategy to ensure that our paper and pulp products are fully traceable. This includes pulp and paper in our private-label products, their labels, and packaging in all Lidl countries where the WWF partnership applies. Accepted standards are FSC, FSC Mix, Recycled and in exceptional cases, PEFC.

Cocoa
We aim for the full traceability of our cocoa. To achieve this, we continue to increase the share of independently certified raw materials in our private label products. 100% of our block chocolate is certified to Fairtrade standards.

Coffee
By the end of the 2028 financial year, we will transition all private-label coffee products (including capsules, instant coffee, and cappuccino) to recognised certifications. In addition, we continue to increase the share of certified roasted coffee products.

Tea
Our assortment of private-label black, green, and rooibos tea is 100% certified to Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade standards.
 

More information about our Lidl raw materials strategy:

• Deforestation
• Soy
• Palm oil
• Wood and timber
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Tea

Healthy and Sustainable Diets

Based on the scientific principles of the "Planetary Health Diet", which recommends a plant forward diet, we have continued to expand our product range to include more vegan and vegetarian products.

Through this partnership, we are deepening our commitment to making sustainable and healthy diets more accessible by adopting a strategy that prioritises plant-based foods, including fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and plant-based protein sources such as beans and pulses, into our product ranges.

As part of this, we measure, monitor and transparently report the ratio of animal to plant-based protein sources that we sell. Based on this data, we can track the progress we make to align with healthy, sustainable diet targets. The scope of the report covers the entire product range in Great Britain and all Lidl countries worldwide: across own brands and branded products, permanent and promotional ranges.

Fish and seafood

When it comes to responsible fish and seafood, we are pursuing an ambitious goal for greater sustainability. We are focusing on increased transparency and traceability as well as the use of well-known third-party certification labels such as MSC, ASC, BAP4-Star and GlobalG.A.P.

Our targets for fish and seafood are For our own-brand and branded products.

Transparent and traceable fish and seafood

We are committed to the traceability and transparency of our entire fish and seafood range. By the end of the 2024 financial year, we want to ensure that all products are labelled accordingly and indicate, i.e., the country of production, the species, and the fishing or aquaculture method. We are also working towards demonstrating complete fish and seafood supply chain traceability. In the case of aquaculture, this includes the traceability of the species farmed and the feed used.

For wild catches, we aim to ensure traceability by examining both the fishing vessel and the specific catch event.

Responsible fish and seafood range

Our goal is to ensure that 100% of our entire range of fish and seafood comes from sources that are classified as recommended or acceptable according to WWF criteria.

WWF classifies the following sources as recommended or acceptable:

• WWF score 1-3
• Certifications MSC, ASC, Bio, BAP4-Star, GlobalG.A.P
• Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) and Aquaculture Improvement Projects (AIPs) supported by WWF

We are also committed to increasing the proportion of fish and seafood sourced from WWF-recommended sources. These sources are defined as those with a WWF score of 1-2.

We will measure this commitment by tracking the percentage of our total fish and seafood volume that comes from these recommended sources.

Certified fish and seafood supply chains

We aim to increase the proportion of our fish and seafood range that meets WWF-recommended certifications. The recommended certifications include MSC, ASC, Bio, BAP 2-Star, and GlobalG.A.P.We will review the total volume of our fish and seafood range in line with the above certifications on an annual basis.

Circular economy and reduction of food waste

As we work towards long-term resource conservation, through our partnership with WWF we are focusing on enhancing the recyclability of materials and minimising food waste.

Food waste in our own operations

We aim to further reduce food waste in our stores and distribution centres. To achieve this, we are developing a globally applicable strategy with clear targets. These targets will follow on from our ambitious Lidl GB target to reduce food waste by 40% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030. Our focus is on minimising waste and optimising the redistribution of unsold food, including donating it where possible. Additionally, we are committed to regularly reporting on food waste both nationally and internationally. This commitment applies to our stores in Great Britain and across all Lidl locations.

Learn more here: https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/sustainability/food-waste

Food waste in the value chain

Food production often creates by-products that lead to food waste. Many of these by-products can be further processed to significantly reduce overall waste. We are committed to identifying and addressing food waste in our own production processes, particularly for our own-brand products. Our focus is on identifying and improving production processes that are most prone to food losses from by-products.

Recyclability of packaging and non-food products

We aim to enhance circular practices across our packaging and non-food products. We will develop and implement a circular strategy with WWF by 2025. This will build on the ambitious plastics and packaging targets in Lidl GB: reducing own label plastic packaging by 40%, reducing own label packaging by 25% and making 100% of own label and branded packaging recyclable, reusable, refillable or renewable. We will develop additional targets for own-brand products and non-food own-brand products.

Learn more about our existing work here: https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/sustainability/plastics