Ecosystem conversion and restoration
Aldi Nord discloses some evidence of addressing conversion, however, this does not guarantee DCF-aligned practices. While the company has a target to achieve conversion-free supply chains, some of the certification models implemented by the company (e.g. RSPO Book and Claim) are not aligned with DCF targets. Furthermore, the company is not committed to restoring ecosystems and it does not disclose details and outcomes of ecosystem restoration projects in areas affected by its own operations or by its suppliers.
GHG emissions
Aldi Nord should set a time-bound target to reduce its scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions as well as report progress against them. Crucially, the company needs to reduce its scope 3 emissions and its targets need to align with a 1.5-degree trajectory.
Impact and dependencies assessment
Aldi Nord acknowledges environmental factors like climate vulnerability, water scarcity, and industrial pollution in its human rights risk assessments. However, there’s no information indicating that the company specifically assesses its impact on biodiversity or nature within its own operations or its upstream business relationships. It also does not disclose assessments concerning its dependencies on nature.
Invasive species
Aldi Nord has not identified any activities that could lead to the introduction of invasive alien species in its own operations.
Key areas and species
Aldi Nord has an opportunity to disclose locations within or adjacent to areas important for biodiversity, both in its own operations and its supplier locations. It could also disclose existing species populations existing in or adjacent to both its own and its suppliers’ locations, as well as the conservation status of species identified at its own sites according to national and international lists.
Resource exploitation and circularity performance
Aldi Nord has an opportunity to disclose its inputs according to an international standard, and to report quantitatively on its group-wide circularity performance. The company also has an opportunity to disclose activities to improve soil health or agrobiodiversity in its production or sourcing practices, to disclose a target to improve soil health in its production or sourcing practices and to report progress against it.
Solid and air pollution
Aldi Nord does not disclose relevant information related to pollution in its operations or supply chains.
Water
Aldi Nord has an opportunity to further improve water withdrawal by reducing water withdrawals, setting time-bound targets, and disclosing withdrawals in water-stressed areas. It has an opportunity to improve on its disclosure on water pollution by disclosing water pollutant metrics and setting time-bound targets to reduce them. Finally, the company does not disclose relevant information on rights to water in its operations or supply chains.
