ALDI North was the first food discounter to join the Global Compact of the United Nations (UNGC) in 2017. Hereby, we are committed to implement the ten principles of the UNGC in the area of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption in the scope of our corporate values as well as in the course of our daily business. Together with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDGs), the UNGC Principles form the basis of the further development of our sustainability strategies.
In 2018, we published a policy statement on human rights. This statement is a framework for systematic measures to prevent violation of human rights as well as for the handling of potential risks. In this respect, we are aware that our due diligence related to human rights is a process of continuous development which requires continuous improvement. We are going to follow this path consistently in the years to come. For this purpose, we will co-operate with many committed partners – because most of the global challenges can only be tackled with joint forces.
Furthermore, climate protection remains a priority of our agenda. Because we recognize the need for our active engagement as well. By 2021, we aim to reduce our greenhouse emissions by 40 per cent compared to 2015. One essential element to achieve this goal is the continuous expansion of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of our stores.
Another subject that was of particular importance to us in the reporting period under review – and will remain so in the future – is the reduction of packaging waste. In 2018, we therefore launched our packaging mission for own-brand product packaging in Germany, where each item is subject to an analysis of the actually required packaging. We continue our efforts to reduce the use of packaging material or to make our packaging more sustainable in order to protect the environment. In this respect, we focus on the needs and wants of our customers and offer our products with the well-known attributes: simplicity, responsibility and reliability. The goals we have defined in this field are very ambitious. By the end of 2022, 100 per cent of our own-brand packaging in Germany shall be recyclable. The next challenge will then be to initiate similar measures at the ALDI companies in the affiliated countries. By doing so, we want to make a contribution to the promotion of closed loop recycling as well as any necessary resource conservation.
This interim report shows the progress we have achieved in 2018 with the implementation of the ten UNGC Principles. Our annual sustainability reporting is part of a permanent invitation to open stakeholder dialogue. Should you have any queries or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.
I hope you will enjoy reading this report!
Rayk Mende
Managing Director Corporate Responsibility / Quality Assurance International
ALDI Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG
