Lidl commits £1.5 billion to British beef sustainability after partnering with WWF for global environmental initiatives

The initiative is part of the discounter’s broader commitment to sourcing 100% British beef.

Lidl has introduced a beef sustainability program that will financially reward farmers who adopt regenerative farming techniques. These techniques aim to improve grazing management, biodiversity, soil, and water quality, and reduce on-farm carbon emissions.

To support this initiative, sustainability consultancy Promar will provide tailored advice to farmers, helping them lower their carbon emissions and promote the sustainable growth of their businesses.

Promar's consultants recently conducted carbon footprint audits​​ for British beef farmers, identifying key areas for reducing emissions. They emphasize the importance of purchasing feed wisely and reducing reliance on purchased feed by focusing on digestibility and protein.

Grass and forage digestibility ​

Improving the digestibility of home-grown grass and forage increases energy content, maximizes growth potential, and reduces the need for purchased supplements, thus decreasing methane emissions, according to the agricultural consultancy.

Efficient animal management is another crucial aspect of reducing emissions. Promar's consultants focus on identifying and improving individual animal inefficiencies without necessarily switching to the most intensive production system. Accurate recording and monitoring of animals, particularly growth rates, can help improve efficiency. Key targets include measuring daily live weight gain (DLWG) for each group of animals, assessing weaning weights, monitoring health records to avoid mortality, and ensuring suckler cows calve at two years of age to minimize the weight of non-producing animals on the farm.

Tie-up with WWF​

In June, Lidl International launched a five-year international partnership with WWF, active in 31 countries, to enhance its global sustainability efforts.

This partnership is focusing on several key areas, including the conservation and promotion of biodiversity, responsible management of water resources, climate protection through science-based climate targets, responsible sourcing, and building and expanding traceable, deforestation-free, and conversion-free supply chains.

This collaboration is a part of Lidl’s international sustainability strategy and follows Lidl GB’s move last year to become the first discount supermarket to sign WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature, which commits Lidl to work with WWF to halve the environmental impact of UK shopping baskets by 2030.