Climate
Climate change is a planetary issue that affects us all – and some more than others. As an international family of trusted brands, we are committed to working across our industry to address the impact of a changing climate. To this end, we not only work to drive improvements in our own operations, we also partner across the value chain. We work with others in our industry to accelerate transition to a more healthy, sustainable, and resilient food system.
Our brands are mainstream supermarket and e-commerce retailers and our focus on combating climate change needs to coexist with the product affordability, assortment, and quality needs of our customers. Embedding climate action into our business decisions and nudging customers to make more sustainable choices is at the heart of our approach to continue to be your trusted local food retailer. This Climate Plan outlines the steps Ahold Delhaize and its international family of local brands will take to achieve a healthier future for people and planet.
Download our full Climate Plan below
Ahold Delhaize Climate Plan December 2023More recent disclosure can be found in our 2023 Annual Report, starting on page 113.
Want to know more about our Climate ambitions? Please check out this article: Three things to know about our climate ambitions.
Press release
Our targets for reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG (Green House Gas) emissions are:
- >38% reduction by 2025 compared to our 2018 baseline, which is one of the KPIs of our Sustainability-Linked Bond.
- 50% by 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline.
- Net-zero by 2040, which corresponds to a 90% reduction compared to our 2018 baseline.
Our targets for reducing scope 3 GHG emissions are:
- We commit to reduce absolute scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions by 30.3% (or 4.7 MtCO2e) by 2030 from a 2020 baseline (of 15.5 MtCO2e).
- We commit to reduce absolute scope 3 Energy and Industrial GHG emissions by 42.0% (or 12.4MtCO2e) by 2030 from a 2020 baseline (of 29.5MtCO2e).
- Net-zero by 2050, which corresponds to an 83% reduction compared to our 2020 baseline.
We have also committed to several targets focused on supply chain engagement, including:
- Suppliers that represent 70% of our footprint will be asked to commit to SBTi by 2025.
- All our suppliers will be asked to report on scope 3 by 2025.
- All our brands in Europe will commit to baseline current protein ratio and set protein ratio targets by the end of 2024.
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Bol.com opens one of the most sustainable logistics buildings in the Netherlands and Belgium
Bol.com opens expansion of fulfilment center in Waalwijk, one of the most sustainable logistics buildings in the Netherlands and Belgium.
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Albert Heijn is providing easier access to healthier food and a vegan range of more than 1,000 products to customers
Albert Heijn is providing easier access to healthier food and a vegan range of more than 1,000 products to customers.
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Delhaize Belgium begins using a dual-fuel hydrogen truck
Thanks to the dual-fuel technology, the truck has a longer range, is cheaper in purchase value and has no loss of loading space in the trailer. Delhaize Belgium is looking forward to testing the sustainable transport option.
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Reducing the climate footprint at Ahold Delhaize
The Ahold Delhaize Coffee Company has opened a state-of-the-art roasting facility, that helps them reduce the climate impact of own-brand coffee production, for example, by lowering energy consumption.
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Reducing the CO2 emissions by 50% at Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn reached a big milestone in 2020 when it reduced CO2 emissions by 50% -- far beyond the brand’s target of 30% -- by remodeling over 100 stores and building 15 new locations in the Netherlands and switching to 100% Dutch wind energy.
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Solar program at The GIANT Company
The GIANT Company recently completed an additional seven-acre pollinator-friendly solar field at its corporate headquarters, creating a synergistic environment that contributes both to clean energy and support for bee and pollinator populations.
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Bol.com carries the Climate Neutral Certification label.
Bol.com is the first e-commerce company in the Netherlands and Belgium to carry the Climate Neutral Certification label.
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Alfa Beta introduces new tool to track greenhouse gas emissions
Alfa Beta in collaboration with the American Farm School, is training its suppliers on tracking their GHG with the new Cool Farm Tool. The tool is part of the Smart Farming Initiative that has supported over 230 suppliers with smart technologies in reducing GHG.
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Better for cow, nature and farmer program at Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn is improving the sustainability and transparency of its dairy, pork, poultry, fruit and vegetables supply chains. For example, in the “Better for cow, nature and farmer” program, dairy farmers receive 3-5 euro cents extra per liter to make sustainability investments.
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Increasing transparency on the environmental and social impact of products with HowGood app
Ahold Delhaize USA brands are increasing transparency of the products they sell online by partnering with HowGood, analyzing the environmental and social impact of each ingredient and rating products accordingly.
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The GIANT Company is partnering with Rodale Institute
The GIANT Company is partnering with Rodale Institute, the leading voice in developing solutions for the regenerative organic movement. They support initiatives on farm consulting, farmer training and research, so farmers are supported in the transition to organic farming and receive training in regenerative organic agriculture.
As part of Ahold Delhaize’s scope 3 decarbonization pathway which involves the carbon emissions in our value chain, our European brands have launched climate hubs. The hubs serve as online platforms where suppliers can gain insights into carbon emissions, understand Ahold Delhaize’s and the brands’ commitment to reducing them, and access resources to navigate the process of addressing and reporting emissions.
Here you can find an overview of the live Climate Hubs:
