Lidl’s climate targets, supported by its protein diversification scheme, puts other German retailers, such as Rewe, under pressure in the race to reduce emissions, according to Madre Brava‘s climate and food system experts.
In its latest sustainability report, Lidl announced its goal of reducing the emissions of products it sells (so-called Scope 3 emissions). Lidl makes it clear that meat and dairy products play a prominent role in its Scope 3 emissions. Supermarkets cannot tackle Scope 3 without tackling the emissions of meat and dairy products in their supply chains, and only Lidl has taken the necessary steps: clear commitments to diversify its protein supply.
Florian Wall, Senior Associate at Madre Brava in Germany, says: “Lidl is now on both front leaders: their commitment to shifting sales to more plant-based proteins is essential to achieve their Scope 3 emission targets and their focus on Planetary Health Diet is positive. At the moment, Rewe’s approach is as useful as a navigation device that shows you the destination, but not the way to get there.”
The others are standing still
Madre Brava indicates limited advances in the diversification of protein supply. Wall says: “We have seen some movement in the relocation of meat and dairy products to plants in the protein mix, but Lidl could move forward much faster. At the moment, they are slowly approaching their goal, while others are standing still.”
Within a year, Lidl has succeeded in increasing the proportion of its plant-based meat products from 11.1% to 11.8% and the proportion of its plant-based dairy products from 6.1% to 6.6%. Last year, the company committed to doubling the proportion of plant-based meat and dairy products by 2030 to reconcile its protein offering with the goals of human and planetary health.
Lidl has taken several measures to facilitate access to healthy and sustainable proteins. The prices for plant products have been reduced to adapt them to their animal counterparts and plant-based products were positioned on the shelves alongside their animal counterparts. And in the coming weeks, Edeka, Aldi, and other German retailers will also publish their targets for emissions from Scope 3. Madre Brava will publish a report on how food retailers can best achieve these goals. The protein landscape in Germany’s supermarkets could soon be much healthier and more sustainable.
Wall closes: “All eyes are now on Rewe. A goal without a plan is not really a goal. We call on them to publish plans and goals for protein diversification. Without them, they cannot hope to achieve the desired reduction in emissions.”
Further information: madrebrava.org
