Lidl Lietuva manages climate strategy | Business
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, which we must tackle as soon as possible. We understand that we are leaving a significant trace of CO2 in one of the country’s largest retail chains, so we must reduce it rapidly. In order to mitigate our impact on the climate, it is important to specify the goals we aim for and to measure them accordingly, ”says Valdas Otsing, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Lidl Lietuva.
Therefore, back in 2020. In August, the Schwarz Group, of which Lidl is a part, joined SBTi and committed itself to formulating targets for mitigating climate change. These targets have only recently been reviewed and approved by SBTi itself.
However, the Lidl retail chain has also taken individual action, developing its climate strategy based on the Schwarz Group’s goals, with a specific measure to continuously reduce GHG emissions not only in the organisation’s operations but also in the supply chain.
Has developed a specific methodology
Implementing Lidl’s climate strategy based on the SBTi methodology, the retail network will seek change in three areas of GHG emissions.
The first area (Scope 1) covers GHG emissions directly from the company ‘s activities, the organization can control, for example, the company’ s own transport, refrigeration equipment, etc. The second area (Scope 2) covers indirect GHG emissions from off – site production of electricity or heat. The third (Scope 3) covers the amount of GHG generated in the value chain, ie the cultivation, production, transport, use of products and more.
“We responsibly assess the impact on our environment and are constantly looking for ways to reduce it. Joining SBTi and developing climate goals based on its methodology is a strong step towards sustainability, advising on positive change in the activities of both the retail chain and its partners. Until 2030 We have committed ourselves to reducing GHG emissions from operational activities (ie areas 1 and 2) by 80% compared to 2019. emissions from the environment, and from 2022 onwards. we will become a climate-neutral company. In addition, in order to achieve changes and value creation in the chain, we will consult with our supplier regarding the reduction of GHG emissions, ”says the Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications of Lidl Lietuva.
Sustainability will also require partner companies
As most of Lidl Lietuva’s GHG footprint is generated in the supply chain, the retail chain wants to create incentives for itself to reduce its GHG emissions.
Therefore, the company will not only demand, but also create conditions for suppliers responsible for 75%. the above-mentioned third area gas emissions by 2026. join the SBTi and set science-based targets for combating climate change.
True, the retail chain has taken environmentally friendly action even earlier – in order to reduce the environmental impact of the retail chain in 2017. implemented the energy management standard ISO 50001, which helps to reduce energy consumption and, consequently, GHG emissions. In addition, Lidl Lietuva’s logistics center and the vast majority of stores have an EDGE certificate, which confirms that the buildings operate more efficiently and are more environmentally friendly.
Additional retail chains use electricity generated from renewable sources, and 12 Lidl stores are equipped with solar power plants, and 5 of them are equipped with electric car battery charging stations. Through these and other measures, the trade network reduces GHG emissions and the climate neutrality of operations from 2022 onwards. will be achieved by compensating for the remaining GHG-compliant certification compensation projects for the remaining GHGs.
What is SBTi?
SBTi is an initiative that brings together a variety of non-governmental organizations, institutions and businesses to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The main one is to ensure that the average global temperature does not rise by more than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels and to ensure that it does not rise by more than 1.5 degrees in order to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change. At present, the average temperature of the planet has risen by about 1.1 degrees.
The foundation of SBTi is the setting of science-based targets in the activities of each participant in the initiative, which is the only politically and scientifically recognized methodology for setting GHG reduction targets. The number of participants in the initiative is growing rapidly – since 2015. more than 1.7 thousand people have joined it. companies in the world.