Zero Carbon
Our Vision 2030:
Doing our part to limit global warming.
Our Approach
Our business activities have a significant impact on climate and the environment. This is a result not only of the products we sell, but also our business operations. Our goal is to minimise the ecological footprint of our corporate activities by lowering our greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring that the products we offer do not have a detrimental impact on the environment.
As part of our wider commitment to minimise the impact of our products, we will also work with our business partners to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate protection projects in our supply chains.
Our Actions
International Climate Strategy
In July 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group became one of the first international food retailers with a company-wide approved “Science Based Target” (SBT) for climate protection. We aim to reduce our overall operational emissions by more than a quarter by 2025. At the same time, the ALDI SOUTH Group is proud to partner with suppliers who share its values. That is why we are also committed to encouraging our strategic suppliers, which are responsible for 75% of product related emissions, to work towards setting science-based emissions targets by 2024. With these measures, the Group is working towards its vision of ‘zero carbon‘.
“We strive to become a climate-neutral company. We are already taking a big step in this direction with our science-based target, which we want to achieve by 2025.”
Anke Ehlers, Managing Director Corporate Responsibility International of the ALDI SOUTH Group
In 2021, the ALDI SOUTH Group overachieved its absolute target, by reducing its operational emissions by 54% (base year: 2016). When including external logistics providers, who share a significant portion of the transport between our regional distribution centres (RDCs) and stores, the reduction is still -38%.
Climate protection has been a major focus of the ALDI SOUTH Group for many years. In 2014, we adopted our first international climate strategy with the relative goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its national markets by 30% per square metre of sales area. The results speak for themselves – not only did all countries overachieve the target before the deadline, ALDI has also continuously improved energy efficiency.
- Large parts of our cooling systems are now using natural refrigerants and 95% of electricity is coming from renewable energy sources.
- Almost 2,300 of the 6,900 stores worldwide have already been fitted with photovoltaic systems on the roofs.
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Ireland offset remaining emissions via certified climate protection projects.
The ambitious climate targets reinforce our endeavours to make a positive and valuable contribution to global climate protection.
Calculating our Carbon Footprint
We monitor progress towards our International Climate Strategy by calculating our Company Carbon Footprint for all of our business processes and locations in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Renewable energy
To protect the climate, we use renewable energy in all countries where we operate. We have increased the share of renewable energy usage in electricity consumption significantly over the past years, from 34% in 2016 to 95% in 2021. Additionally, we are generating electricity with photovoltaic systems on the roofs of almost 2,300 stores and 48 distribution centres worldwide.
Efficient logistics
Efficient logistics ensure that our customers have access to our full product range and fresh items every day. Following store operations, our transport logistics are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
We focus on conserving fuel in our logistics operations by optimising trailer capacity utilisation, implementing highly economical route planning, and operating a modern fleet of vehicles. Our drivers are also provided with training to promote efficient driving behaviour.
Modern refrigeration technology
The refrigeration technology used in our stores, regional distribution centres, and logistics vehicles critically influences the ability to achieve our climate protection goals. Refrigeration systems are responsible for a large share of our energy consumption. Using modern, environmentally sound, and climate-friendly refrigerants is essential to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2021, we were using a refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 2,200 for medium-temperature refrigeration in 91% of our stores. We aim to replace all refrigerants with a GWP of more than 2,200 by an alternative refrigerant with a lower GWP by 2025.
Supplier Engagement
Since 2021, we have been conducting annual supplier surveys on their climate commitment to monitor our suppliers’ progress to set climate targets, and identify which suppliers need support in joining our climate protection journey. The results of 2022 show that strategic suppliers, who are responsible for 22% of our product-related emissions, either have a target in line with the criteria of the Science Based Targets initiative or are committed to set themselves science-based targets within the next two years.
Our Objectives & Performance
By measuring our Corporate Responsibility objectives and performance on a regular basis, we are continuously validating the effectiveness of our actions, highlighting the areas where we are already making progress and identifying areas where further action is still required. As a global retailer, we want to use our global buying power and market influence to create lasting change for a better future. We focus our activities on high-priority raw materials and commodity groups.
Our Projects
Project in Brazil
Forest protection
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Forest protection in Brazil
Forests are not only among the planet's most important carbon reservoirs. They are also home to an enormous diversity of species and are the livelihood for local communities. This project is offering land to small farmers instead of soy plantations. The aim is to continue to preserve the rainforest and to provide its inhabitants - the “Ribeirinhos” - with land rights. This secures the livelihood of the local residents and saves around 3,000 hectares from deforestation.
Project in Ghana
Clean cook stoves
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Clean cook stoves in Ghana
In many of the world's poorer regions, families cook their meals over an open fire, often in enclosed spaces. This method of cooking is not energy efficient as large amounts of heat go to waste. Clean cooking stoves are simple devices made from metal or clay. Thanks to their better heat isolation, the clean cooking facilities enable the reduction of charcoal usage of up to 40 %. This increases energy efficiency and decreases carbon emissions. Additionally the project helps to protect local forests, creates new job opportunities and improves health conditions for families.
Project in Uganda
Clean drinking water
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Clean drinking water in Uganda
A clean drinking water supply has positive effects both on the climate and the health conditions of local communities. Broken boreholes are identified, repaired and maintained, which gives people access to clean drinking water without having to boil it. The project saves the carbon emissions that would result from boiling water, usually on open fires or inefficient stoves. It also improves people's living conditions and protects local forests by reducing firewood consumption.
Project in India
Solar energy
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Solar energy in India
Replacing energy from fossil fuels with clean energy is an essential part of the fight against global warming. Since energy from solar panels is created without burning fossil fuels, it is considered emission-free. The solar power plant funded through this project contributes to making the Indian power grid greener. In addition, the operators of the plants are involved in various initiatives aimed at positively impacting the welfare of the local community.
Project in Haiti
Fight against plastic
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Fight against plastic
Over 8 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the ocean each year - the equivalent of one truckload per minute. ‘Plastic Bank’ fights against the increasing amount of plastic in the world‘s oceans by offering money for plastic. The plastic is then recycled and turned into new products.
Project in the Philippines
Fight against plastic
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Fight against plastic
Over 8 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the ocean each year - the equivalent of one truckload per minute. ‘Plastic Bank’ fights against the increasing amount of plastic in the world‘s oceans by offering money for plastic. The plastic is then recycled and turned into new products. At the same time, a wind farm project in the Philippines is supported to realize the actual reduction of carbon emissions.
Project in Indonesia
Fight against plastic
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Fight against plastic
Over 8 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the ocean each year - the equivalent of one truckload per minute. ‘Plastic Bank’ fights against the increasing amount of plastic in the world‘s oceans by offering money for plastic. The plastic is then recycled and turned into new products.
Project in Brazil
Fight against plastic
According to our CR Principles, the ALDI SOUTH Group is striving to be a carbon-neutral company. Following a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the use of renewable energy across the Group, several ALDI SOUTH countries are climate neutral. Carbon offsets make up for the rest by funding environmental projects.
To continue to deliver against our broader climate target, we are supporting an environmentally-focused project.
Fight against plastic
Over 8 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the ocean each year - the equivalent of one truckload per minute. ‘Plastic Bank’ fights against the increasing amount of plastic in the world‘s oceans by offering money for plastic. The plastic is then recycled and turned into new products.
Our Memberships
News
Library
Sustainable Development Goals
UNGC
Environment
Principle 7
Precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Principle 8
Promote environmental responsibility
Principle 9
Development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies