WWF Partnership

Climate

We 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 are committed to reducing our emissions in accordance with scientifically based climate targets.  By setting climate targets based on the methodology of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), we are now going one step further: we are committing to a net zero target in accordance with SBTi. This means that we are not only reducing our operational footprint, but also the climate impact of our traded products.

We develop 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 maximize co-benefits such as biodiversity and water while respecting social protection measures. The financing plan will be linked to corresponding nature conservation projects.

Further details on our commitment to climate here

Water

We're working to identify freshwater hotspots and risks, then implement a responsible water strategy
Using the WWF Water Risk Filter, we are revising our analyses and targets related to freshwater risks to create a more comprehensive strategy for responsible water use. In collaboration with WWF, we identify and address water risks throughout our value chain. This is especially crucial for high-risk products like coffee, fruit, and vegetables, where we aim to prevent issues such as water contamination or scarcity.

Transparency in climate, biodiversity and water
We are committed to transparency. As part of our partnership, we will disclose the risks identified in our value chain and the measures we are taking to reduce environmental impacts, following the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Raw Materials

Raw materials are the basis of our products. Therefore, we see it as our responsibility to purchase raw materials in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Our Lidl CSR strategy drives our engagement with raw materials and highlights our long-standing commitment to sourcing deforestation-free products. We take responsibility and place sustainability at the centre of our actions. We support and endorse the goals of the EU regulation for deforestation-free supply chains. [In 2020, we demonstrated this commitment by signing the WWF-initiated "Cerrado Manifesto," which opposes illegal land grabbing in Brazilian soy cultivation. Needs to be approved by countries] 

In our partnership with WWF, we want to ensure responsible international sourcing of critical raw materials and the establishment and expansion of traceable, deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains. Unless otherwise stated, the following targets apply to our own-brand products (standard and promotional range) in Cyprus  and all other Lidl countries. Considering regulations such as the EUDR approach, we have set ourselves the following targets. 

Deforestation- and conversion-free raw material procurement
We are committed to sourcing high-risk raw materials—such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, cellulose, and paper—from deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains. To ensure this,  we continuously refine our raw material strategy to prevent deforestation and land conversion for our own-brand products. This approach aligns with the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFI) and the EU Deforestation Regulation, and is based on the EUDR legislation.

Compliance with deforestation- and conversion-free cut-off dates*
We ensure that both we and our suppliers adhere to the cut-off dates for deforestation- and conversion-free set by the AFI and the EU Deforestation Regulation. This applies to the high-risk raw materials soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, cellulose 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 current and new suppliers to adopt a policy that ensures their operations are free from deforestation, land conversion and exploitation by the end of the 2026 financial year. This commitment goes beyond the legal requirements.

Responsible soy supply chains
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 assess the origin of soy used directly in our supply chain (alternative proteins and soy products) as well as in the feed of selected animal products such as chicken, eggs and pork.  This analysis will help us identify areas in need of action.
In addition, we will work with the Collaboration for Forests and Agriculture (CFA) to evaluate and address issuesto deforestation, land conversion and exploitation within our own soy supply chains.   Our goal is to ensure that, in the long term, our soy supply chains are completely traceable and free from deforestation, conversion and exploitation.

Responsible palm (kernel) oil
Starting from the 2025 financial year, we are committed to sourcing only traceable palm and palm kernel oil that is free from deforestation, land conversion, and exploitation.  To ensure ,  100% of our palm and palm kernel oil used in both food and non-food products must meet the RSPO Segregated or EU Organic standards. In addition, 100% of the derivatives should at least comply with the RSPO Mass Balance Standard. 

Responsible cellulose and paper
Our goal is to exclusively source traceable, deforestation-, conversion- and exploitation-free paper and cellulose products on an international scale by the end of August 2025.
To achieve this, we will analyze the quality and origin of paper and cellulose products. This analysis will help us develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to ensure that all paper and cellulose products are fully traceable and responsibly sourced.
This includes cellulose and paper in our own-brand products, their labels and packaging in Cyprus and all other Lidl countries. The FSC, FSC mix, recycling and, in exceptional cases, PEFC standards are accepted.

Responsible sourcing of cocoa
Our goal is to sell fully traceable and sustainable cocoa products by the end of the 2027 financial year. To achieve this, we will increase the proportion of sustainably certified cocoa to 100% by the end of 2025. The minimum standards accepted are organic (EU), Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade.
A key component of our efforts involves analyzing the origins of our cocoa. This analysis will guide the development of a comprehensive sustainable cocoa sourcing strategy, which we are developing together with WWF.  This strategy involves: investing in full traceability for cocoa beans and butter; participating in conservation projects in key or high-risk cultivation areas; and engaging with relevant stakeholders through cocoa initiatives committed to sustainable production.

Certified coffee: coffee products and roasted coffee
We are committed to achieving 100% sustainably certified coffee products, including coffee capsules, instant coffee, and cappuccino. Our goal is to ensure that starting from the 2028 financial year, all coffee products sold will carry a recognized sustainability label. The minimum accepted certifications are Organic (EU), Rainforest Alliance, and Fairtrade.
In addition, we are also committed to continuously increasing the proportion of certified roasted coffee to 100%

Certified tea supply chains
Another goal we have set ourselves as part of our partnership with WWF is to ensure fully certified tea products. This includes all black teas, green teas, and rooibos teas from our own-brand products in Cyprus and all other Lidl countries. Organic (EU), Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade certifications are accepted.

More information about our Lidl raw materials strategy here

Conscious Nutrition

Based on the scientific principles of the "Planetary Health Diet", which recommends a more plant-based diet, we have been, over the past few years, expanding of our product range to include more vegan and vegetarian products.

Through this partnership, we are deepening our commitment to more sustainable and healthy nutrition by adopting a strategy that prioritizes plant-based products and aims to reduce the consumption of animal products.

To achieve this, we monitor and transparently report the ratio of animal to plant-based protein sources.  Based on this data, we are progressively incorporating more sustainable and healthy plant-based protein products in our range. The scope covers the entire product range in Cyprus and all Lidl countries worldwide: own brands and third-party brands, standard and promotional ranges.

OPTIONAL: We rely on WWF's methodology for the determination. In discussions with relevant stakeholders, this emerged as one of the currently accepted methods. In general, we are interested in a cross-sector methodology for calculating the protein ratio and are committed to this.

Fish and Seafood

When it comes to responsible fish and seafood, we are pursuing an ambitious goal for greater sustainability. We are focusing on greater transparency and traceability as well as the use of well-known labels such as MSC, ASC, Bio, BAP4 Star and GlobalG.A.P.
Our targets in this area include the entire fish and seafood range in Cyprus and all other Lidl countries: own brands and third-party brands, standard and promotional range. 

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 recommendable or acceptable according to WWF criteria.
WWF classifies the following sources as recommendable 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-recommendable 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 recommendable sources.

Certified fish and seafood supply chains
We aim to increase the proportion of our fish and seafood range that meets WWF-recommendable certifications. The certifications recognized as recommendable include MSC, ASC, Bio, BAP 4-Star, and GlobalG.A.P.
The percentage of the total volume of the fish and seafood range is measured.

Cicular economy & reduction of food waste

To ensure long-term resource conservation, we are focusing on enhancing the recyclability of materials and minimizing food waste through our partnership.

Food waste in our own operations
We aim to further reduce food waste in our stores and distribution centers. To achieve this, we are developing a globally applicable strategy with clear targets. Our focus is on minimizing waste and optimizing the use 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 Cyprus and across all Lidl locations.

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 in packaging and non-food products. We will develop and implement a circular strategy together with WWF by 2025. This will apply to packaging for own-brand products and non-food own-brand products.