Ahold Delhaize sets updated CO2 emissions reductions target

As part of its ongoing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate climate change, Ahold Delhaize on Tuesday updated its goals regarding its carbon emissions reductions.

The Dutch retailer announced the shift of its interim CO2 emissions reduction target for its entire value chain (scope 3) to at least 37% by 2030, as the company looks to become net zero by 2050.

With U.S. banner stores that include Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Martin’s, Giant Food and Food Lion, Ahold Delhaize said the updated targets are in line with the UN's goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.

“As a group of mainstream supermarkets and retailers, we want to provide customers with sustainable and healthy products, while keeping shelf availability and affordability top of mind,” said Jan Ernst de Groot, chief sustainability officer of Ahold Delhaize, in a statement. “Our commitment is to future generations, to continue to play a leading role in the transition to a more sustainable food system.”

The updated target is aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative’s Net-Zero Standard, the company said in a statement. In accordance with the recommendation by the Science Based Targets initiative, Ahold Delhaize is using its latest available emission profile from 2020 as baseline for its 37% 2030 reduction target, which was updated from a 2018 baseline before.

Ahold Delhaize has structured the main drivers of emission reduction into three categories: suppliers and farmers, low carbon products, and customer engagement, the company said in a statement.

“A key element of our decarbonization efforts is encouraging and supporting our suppliers in setting their own emission reduction targets in line with the latest scientific evidence, and signing up to the Science Based Targets initiative,” Ahold Delhaize said in a statement.

Turning to low-carbon products, several of Ahold Delhaize’s brands continue to introduce more plant-based protein products in their assortments, “driving the improvement of existing assortments and the development of new assortments with less embedded emissions,” the retailer reported.

Turning to customer engagement, the retailer is looking to partner with its customers when it comes to product selection.

“Helping customers understand the impact of their buying decisions and make choices that fit their needs, their tastes and their values is an important part of our approach,” Ahold Delhaize said in a statement. “This includes stimulating and rewarding more sustainable choices through loyalty programs and discounts, increasing product transparency through navigation systems and product labelling, improving assortments with more vegan and vegetarian products, and increasing awareness and knowledge about a healthy lifestyle.”

Ahold Delhaize is headquartered in Zaandam, the Netherlands.