11. Usage of Natural Resources

The company discloses the extent to which natural resources are used for the company’s business activities. Possible options here are materials, the input and output of water, soil, waste, energy, land and biodiversity as well as emissions for the life cycles of products and services.

The business operations of the ALDI North Group contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases and require natural resources. The sources of these impacts range from lighting, heating and water supply to our buildings, through transport and cooling of our goods, to the disposal of their packaging. Our holistic interpretation of sustainability entails that we take responsibility not only for the manufacture of our products but in all areas where our actions exert an impact.  

Own brands
The ALDI North Group operates in the retail industry. Goods are manufactured and packaged almost exclusively by suppliers. We are working with them to make resource procurement more sustainable.  

Please use the following links for further information:

Food losses and other waste
The bags we give to our customers also lead to high levels of material consumption. In late 2017, we began the process of phasing out conventional disposable shopping bags in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The complete changeover will be completed there by the end of 2018.  

Waste avoidance is a key pillar of sustainable development. As a retailer, reducing waste and dedicating ourselves to fighting food losses play a central role.  

Please use the following links for further information:

Transport
To ensure that our customers always have fresh products and full shelves, we transport goods from our distribution centres to our stores every day. We undertake most of these transport journeys ourselves. In 2017, the ALDI North Group transported goods with a total volume of almost 31 million euro-pallet spaces between our 73 distribution centres and more than 4,700 stores. These transport journeys result in greenhouse gas emissions. Through a variety of measures, we are working to make our logistics as climate friendly as possible.  

Please use the following links for further information:

12. Resource Management

The company discloses what qualitative and quantitative goals it has set itself with regard to its resource efficiency, in particular its use of renewables, the increase in raw material productivity and the reduction in the usage of ecosystem services, which measures and strategies it is pursuing to this end, how these are or will be achieved, and where it sees there to be risks.

We are committed to reducing the impact of our business operations on the climate. Back in 2015, we specified in our Corporate Responsibility (CR) Policy that we aim to act in a climate friendly manner. We have set an ambitious climate target for ourselves in our Climate Protection Policy, adopted in 2018, in which we establish the framework for taking extensive action. Through these efforts, we are doing our part to help achieve the targets specified in the Paris Climate Agreement and realise Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate action” outlined in Agenda 2030 of the United Nations (UN).  

Further ecological goals (excerpt from the CR programme on the resource conservation; see also criterion 3): We communicate our progress in the context of the sustainability report (see CR-Programme and key topics). The CR program shows the status of the goals at a glance.  

Please use the following links for further information:

Key Performance Indicators to criteria 11 to 12

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-301-1: Materials used
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total weight or volume of materials that are used to produce and package the organization’s primary products and services during the reporting period, by:
i. non-renewable materials used;
ii. renewable materials used.

Please use the following link for further information:  
GRI 301-1

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-302-1: Energy consumption
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total fuel consumption within the organization from non-renewable sources, in joules or multiples, and including fuel types used.

b. Total fuel consumption within the organization from renewable sources, in joules or multiples, and including fuel types used.

c. In joules, watt-hours or multiples, the total:
i. electricity consumption
ii. heating consumption
iii. cooling consumption
iv. steam consumption

d. In joules, watt-hours or multiples, the total:
i. electricity sold
ii. heating sold
iii. cooling sold
iv. steam sold

e. Total energy consumption within the organization, in joules or multiples.

f. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

g. Source of the conversion factors used.

Please use the following link for further information:  
 GRI 302-1

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-302-4: Reduction of energy consumption
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Amount of reductions in energy consumption achieved as a direct result of conservation and efficiency initiatives, in joules or multiples.

b. Types of energy included in the reductions; whether fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, steam, or all.

c. Basis for calculating reductions in energy consumption, such as base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it.

d. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

Due to innovative technology the ALDI North group lowers its energy consumption continuously. We are currently recording our direct energy consumption and Scope 1 and 2 emissions on the basis of key indicators. The reduction of energy consumption through special energy-saving measures cannot currently be quantified as a separate indicator.   

Measures in the stores   Measures in the distribution centres As part of the extensive modernisation of our stores, we continue to expand our sustainability-related communication.  

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Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-303-3: Water withdrawal
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total water withdrawal from all areas in megaliters, and a breakdown of this total by the following sources, if applicable:
i. Surface water;
ii. Groundwater;
iii. Seawater;
iv. Produced water;
v. Third-party water.

b. Total water withdrawal from all areas with water stress in megaliters, and a breakdown of this total by the following sources, if applicable:
i. Surface water;
ii. Groundwater;
iii. Seawater;
iv. Produced water;
v. Third-party water, and a breakdown of this total by the withdrawal sources listed in i-iv.

c. A breakdown of total water withdrawal from each of the sources listed in Disclosures 303-3-a and 303-3-b in megaliters by the following categories:
i. Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids);
ii. Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids).

d. Any contextual information necessary to understand how the data have been compiled, such as any standards, methodologies, and assumptions used.

We report on our water consumption. An evaluation according to sources is not relevant for us, as we mainly use the public infrastructure.  

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Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-306-2: Waste
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total weight of hazardous waste, with a breakdown by the following disposal methods where applicable:
i. Reuse
ii. Recycling
iii. Composting
iv. Recovery, including energy recovery
v. Incineration (mass burn)
vi. Deep well injection
vii. Landfill
viii. On-site storage
ix. Other (to be specified by the organization)

b. Total weight of non-hazardous waste, with a breakdown by the following disposal methods where applicable:
i. Reuse
ii. Recycling
iii. Composting
iv. Recovery, including energy recovery
v. Incineration (mass burn)
vi. Deep well injection
vii. Landfill
iii. On-site storage
ix. Other (to be specified by the organization)

c. How the waste disposal method has been determined:
i. Disposed of directly by the organization, or otherwise directly confirmed
ii. Information provided by the waste disposal contractor
iii. Organizational defaults of the waste disposal contractor

Please use the following link for further information:  
GRI 306-2

13. Climate-Relevant Emissions

The company discloses the GHG emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol or standards based on it and states the goals it has set itself to reduce emissions, as well as its results thus far.

Climate protection
ALDI North has set a clear climate target for itself*: We undertake to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions throughout the Group by 40 per cent by 2021 compared to our 2015 levels. This target applies to all emissions that we ourselves cause in the course of our business activities (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions). Our targets and measures have been compiled in our International Climate Protection Policy. Our climate strategy has a long-term trajectory and two key focal points:   Our carbon footprint breaks down our greenhouse gas emissions by emission source and provides us with starting points for our climate protection measures. It is determined in accordance with the internationally recognised standard set by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and audited by a certified auditor.  

Our most significant emission sources at a glance   The roofs of many stores and distribution centres are equipped with photovoltaic systems. In 2017, the installed capacity of our systems already stood at more than 32,000 kWp (kilowatt peak) and produced more than 23,000 MWh of electricity. We avoided some 6,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions as a result. By 2021, we intend to install an additional nominal capacity of more than 50,000 kWp through more systems. Plans call for 120 systems at ALDI France alone. In 2018/19, another 18 systems will join the 40 others already installed at ALDI Belgium. At the end of 2017, ALDI Portugal already had 16 solar installations in place, and plans call for installing around 5,000 kWp of additional capacity there by 2021.  

*ALDI North has deliberately opted for an absolute climate protection target to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions are effectively reduced.  

Please use the following links for further information:

Key Performance Indicators to criteria 13

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-1: Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Gross direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. Gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3 or all.

c. Biogenic CO2 emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

d. Base year for the calculation, if applicable, including:
i. the rationale for choosing it;
ii. emissions in the base year;
iii. the context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions.

e. Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source.

f. Consolidation approach for emissions; whether equity share, financial control, or operational control.

g. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

Please use the following link for further information:  
 GRI 305-1

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-2: Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Gross location-based energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. If applicable, gross market-based energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

c. If available, the gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3, or all.

d. Base year for the calculation, if applicable, including:
i. the rationale for choosing it;
ii. emissions in the base year;
iii. the context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions.

e. Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source.

f. Consolidation approach for emissions; whether equity share, financial control, or operational control.

g. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

Please use the following link for further information:  
 GRI 305-2

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-3: Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Gross other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. If available, the gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3, or all.

c. Biogenic CO2 emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

d. Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions categories and activities included in the calculation.

e. Base year for the calculation, if applicable, including:
i. the rationale for choosing it;
ii. emissions in the base year;
iii. the context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions.

f. Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source.

g. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

In recent years, we have already achieved a number of climate protection objectives and focused on strategic development. Through our climate strategy, we have now laid the foundation for expanding our activities. So far, we have surveyed Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Due to the complexity involved, Scope 3 emissions are currently not surveyed. Further climate protection measures are being planned.

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-5: Reduction of GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. GHG emissions reduced as a direct result of reduction initiatives, in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. Gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3, or all.

c. Base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it.

d. Scopes in which reductions took place; whether direct (Scope 1), energy indirect (Scope 2), and/or other indirect (Scope 3).

e. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

The report focused on our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions and described existing measures already implemented or planned. A quantitative evaluation is not currently available.

ALDI North has set a clear climate target for itself: We undertake to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions throughout the Group by 40 per cent by 2021 compared to our 2015 levels. This target applies to all emissions that we ourselves cause in the course of our business activities (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions). Our targets and measures have been compiled in our International Climate Protection Policy. Our climate strategy has a long-term trajectory and two key focal points: Please use the following link for further information: