Our Mission:
We are committed to protecting the climate and environment
Commitment to Change
We have set ourselves a lot of goals and are working towards even more environmental and climate protection every day. Why? Because we want to help shape a responsible economy and a sustainable future that is worth living in. With that in mind, we cover 100 percent** of our electricity needs with renewable energy and even produce some of it ourselves.
But energy is not everything. The companies of Schwarz Group are also committed to using fresh water sustainably, protecting bodies of water and oceans, and preserving biodiversity. Our jointly developed sustainability strategy forms the framework for doing so. It includes extensive measures and ambitious objectives for us to achieve.
Combating Climate Change is Anchored in Our Strategy
It is not just humans and businesses that have an impact on the climate – in fact, climate change and its consequences are already having an impact on us. One area where we feel these effects is agriculture, with extreme weather conditions significantly impacting harvests in many places. To counter this, the companies of Schwarz Group are actively committed to climate protection. This approach is anchored in our jointly developed climate strategy. Our jointly adopted climate targets are scientifically based and have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
Ambitious and Scientifically Based
One of our shared climate targets is to reduce our operational greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) by a total of 55 percent compared with 2019 by 2030.* Lidl and Kaufland want to reduce these emissions by as much as 80 percent by 2030 and have chosen to make their operational emissions climate neutral** (Lidl from 2022, Kaufland by 2025).
We are also planning to gradually increase the proportion of renewable energy we produce ourselves. The rest of our electricity has been 100 percent sourced from renewable energies since the 2022 fiscal year*** and is currently covered by guarantees of origin.****
The companies of Schwarz Group are also making the commitment to oblige suppliers, who are responsible for 78 percent of product-related emissions, to set themselves climate targets by 2026 according to the criteria of the SBTi. Furthermore, we have set ourselves the shared target of reducing our scope 3 emissions, which relate to the use of solid fuels, by 27.5 percent by 2030 compared with 2019 levels.
* Reduction in operational emissions (scope 1 and 2) compared with 2019. The target for scope 1 and 2 also includes biogenic emissions and the removal of biogenic raw materials. | ** Remaining operational greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) are offset by certified climate protection projects. | *** Excluding any purchase agreements that the companies of Schwarz Group cannot influence, such as those for individual leased properties with a binding electricity procurement clause. | **** Renewable energy guarantees of origin verify the production of one megawatt-hour of green electricity from renewable sources. They state how, when and where the energy was generated, and can be traded internationally.
The Science Based Target Initiative is an alliance of the renowned environmental and climate protection organizations CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), UNGC (United Nations Global Compact), WRI (World Resources Institute) and WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature).
The SBTi has set itself the goal of promoting science-based climate goals in companies in order to achieve a low-emission economy in the long term despite the steadily increasing population growth. The aim is to provide a framework that allows companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions on a scientific basis. Currently, over 2,000 companies worldwide have already joined the initiative.
The SBTi has become the internationally recognized standard for the goal of reducing emissions for companies. When assessing the climate targets, the SBTi takes into account both the sector and the size of the company. This means that companies can align their emissions reductions with a specific goal in order to counteract climate change more effectively and to achieve the global goals of the Paris Agreement.
To measure the carbon footprint of companies, the greenhouse gases released into the environment are separated into three scopes and analyzed based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol):
- Scope 1: direct emissions produced by the companies and within their control – for example, for the lighting at the locations of the companies of Schwarz Group.
- Scope 2: indirect emissions resulting from the provision of energy outside the companies, i.e., by the energy providers.
- Scope 3: emissions generated by business activities along the upstream and downstream value chain – for instance, during the production of raw materials for the food products sold by the retail division of Schwarz Group.
100 % Green Energy
The companies of Schwarz Group are pursuing a targeted course towards an environmentally friendly future: Since 2022, 100 percent of the energy we use has been renewable! Right now, just under two percent of that is green electricity that we produce ourselves. For our further needs, we use guarantees of origin that prove the electricity comes from renewable sources. We also conclude long-term electricity supply contracts: Through these Power Purchase Agreements, we support the creation of additional renewable energy capacity and demonstrate just how seriously we take our commitment to the environment. Furthermore, we are reducing our emissions and selecting sustainable, efficient technologies and building materials to illustrate our clear dedication to climate protection.
Our Measures in the Area of Climate Protection and Adaptation
Highlights in the Area of Climate Protection and Adaptation
Our Commitment to Clear Water
Using water sparingly and protecting bodies of water from contamination: As companies of Schwarz Group, we have anchored measures in our joint sustainability strategy with these goals in mind, because (fresh) water is a precious resource that needs to be protected.
Our Measures in the Area of Utilization and Protection of Water Resources
Joining Forces to Preserve Biodiversity
Stable and healthy ecosystems are essential to our very survival. With that in mind, the companies of Schwarz Group have committed to protecting the diversity of living creatures and habitats: through numerous projects at locations, ambitious standards throughout the value chain and a wide range of collaborations. Together, we can achieve more for the protection of biodiversity.