Lidl US releases first corporate social responsibility report

Lidl US has released its first Corporate Social Responsibility report, highlighting the company’s environmental and social impact initiatives and progress over the last two years. The advancements align with the company’s efforts to provide customers and communities with high quality products at affordable prices while acting responsibly, according to a news release.

“We’re pleased to share our first report that includes our ‘Lidl for a Better Tomorrow’ sustainability/CSR strategy,” Lidl US CEO Joel Rampoldt said in the release. “Our Lidl team members are focused on driving positive impact in both our operations and in the neighborhoods we serve. Our strategy includes working to provide solutions to environmental and social issues that matter most to our team members, communities and other valued stakeholders — today, tomorrow and in our future.”

The company says the report and the Lidl for a Better Tomorrow strategy is focused on three key themes guiding the company’s actions: good for our planet, good for people and good for you. The report highlights Lidl’s progress across six focus areas: protecting climate, respecting biodiversity, conserving resources, acting fairly, promoting health and engaging in dialogue.

From reducing food waste and lowering carbon emissions to partnering with Feeding America and supporting team members and local communities, Lidl says it has made progress to create a better tomorrow.

Lidl’s environmental and social impact initiatives and progress over the last two years include, according to the release:

Good for our planet

• Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 63% as of year-end 2022 (compared to a 2019 baseline) in support of the company’s goal of a 70% reduction by 2030.
• Procured 100% renewable energy since 2022 for the company’s overall electricity use through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (excluding supply agreements over which the company has no control).

Good for people

• Donated more than 3 million pounds of food to Feeding America via monthly donations from its stores and regional distributions centers across 2021 and 2022.

• Provided more than 1 million training hours to elevate and empower Lidl US team members since 2021.

Good for you

• Identified 11 critical raw materials and committed to setting responsible sourcing targets for each group of items. Lidl set third-party certification requirement for all private-label palm oil, chocolate, and fish and shellfish items. All Lidl private label chocolate, for example, is Fairtrade Certified.
• Launched an annual CSR purchasing training requirement for Lidl’s buying team to educate on climate, raw materials and product packaging topics.

Part of the Schwarz Group based in Neckarsulm, Germany, the Lidl retail company operates over 12,200 stores and more than 220 logistics centers and warehouses in 31 countries, according to the release.