Albert Heijn and WWF join forces to halve the food system's ecological footprint by 2030
Albert Heijn and WWF-NL will work closely together in the coming years to halve the ecological footprint of products in fresh and sustainable chains by 2030. By signing a multi-year cooperation agreement, the parties are joining forces to accelerate the sustainability of the food system.
Impact on nature
Change is needed throughout the food production chain, from farm to fork. WWF-NL's efforts in this area are founded on our mission and our knowledge about the effects on our nature worldwide and Albert Heijn's efforts in this field are based on their mission to make better food - healthier, more social and more sustainable - accessible to everyone. Thanks to this collaboration, WWF-NL and Albert Heijn can take direct, positive steps in the fresh and sustainable chains in the areas of, for example, deforestation and freshwater consumption. Albert Heijn's Better for Nature & Farmer programme, a long-term collaboration with more than 1,000 farmers and growers in the Dutch chain, demonstrates the supermarket's commitment to animal welfare, climate, biodiversity and a healthy revenue model.
© Yasmin Hargreaves Photography
Blueprint
In the coming period, WWF-NL and Albert Heijn will work out their strategy using the experiences that WWF has acquired in Great Britain with British supermarkets. It is to become a scientific blueprint for supermarkets, providing insight into what needs to be done to halve the ecological footprint of the food system by 2030. Options include an in-depth focus on chain traceability, increasing sustainability of the fish range, promotion of biodiversity in agriculture and innovations in cooperations with farmers and growers of citrus fruits, rice and tomatoes.
Marit van Egmond, CEO Albert Heijn: 'Albert Heijn wants to hand down a liveable earth to future generations. Nutrition plays an essential role in this. With different eating patterns, smart production and packaging methods and by combating waste, we can tackle the impact on climate, biodiversity and animal welfare. Now that we are working together with WWF-NL, we can take even more positive steps, both in the chains further away and nearby.'
Kirsten Schuijt, director of WWF-NL: 'Consumers must be able to count on the fact that the production of the groceries in our shopping trolleys has not been at the expense of nature. That is why I am so happy that Albert Heijn is sticking its neck out to reduce the ecological impact of products by half. After all, without nature, there is no food. We hope that more parties in the Netherlands will join in, we can only switch to a sustainable food system, in balance with nature, if we work together.'