01.07.2024

Lidl and WWF are launching an ambitious international partnership

One of the largest retail chains - Lidl and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), one of the largest independent environmental protection organizations in the world, announced the beginning of a new five-year international strategic partnership in 31 countries. The long-term collaboration with WWF will focus on working across Lidl's value chain. In doing so, it will help on the one hand to address the global environmental challenges of our time by ensuring that more households gain access to more sustainable choices. On the other hand, it will contribute to the promotion of business models working in harmony with nature and within planetary boundaries.

The partnership marks a new step in the commitment to sustainability that Lidl has maintained for years as part of its international corporate social responsibility strategy. The overall goal of this collaboration is to enable customers to make even more sustainable choices.

With a united effort

“As one of the largest grocery retailers, we are aware of our commitment and impact. We take responsibility in order to do business within planetary boundaries. For Lidl, sustainable management is not only a matter of attitude, but also the basis for the future viability of our business model. With WWF's support and expertise, we will take our commitment to sustainability to the next level. We can only overcome major global challenges such as climate change and nature loss if we work together. That's why we believe in strong partnerships to work together for a more sustainable choice," said Milena Dragiiska, CEO of Lidl Bulgaria.

“The way we produce and consume food and energy is one of the leading drivers of nature loss and climate change. To stop and overcome the biggest crisis facing humanity today, we need bold and urgent action to change 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 powerful international leverage to drive sustainable change in the food and retail industry. WWF is proud to join forces with Lidl on this cause, as we will both support and challenge the retailer," added Kirsten Schuitt, Director General of WWF International.

Together already in 31 countries

Over the past few years, Lidl and WWF have already successfully worked together in some individual markets, for example in Switzerland and Austria. The new partnership expands the scope of this activity globally to accelerate sustainability at the international level. Lidl aims to make sustainable shopping even easier for its customers around the world in the future and work together with WWF to provide more sustainable choices, actively shaping the sustainable transformation. The partnership with WWF will support this goal by 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 supply chains without deforestation and conversion;
  • 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 conservation of critical fishing areas and stocks;
  • engaging in advocacy for more conscious, sustainable diets and consumption;
  • reducing food waste.

In addition to Lidl's commitment to its own value chain, the company will support various WWF conservation projects to help protect the environment in the regions from which it sources its raw materials.