Ahold Delhaize unveils updated SBTi targets and deforestation goal

Food retailer Ahold Delhaize has announced new near and long-term climate targets validated by the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi), as well as a commitment to eliminate deforestation in its supply chain by the end of this year.

Ahold Delhaize is now aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline, absolute Scope 3 energy and industrial emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2020 baseline, and absolute scope 3 Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions 30.3% by 2030, also from a 2020 baseline.

The new targets are aligned with the SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard and its FLAG Guidance, as well as with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC. 

“This is a major milestone in our climate journey — one that reflects our commitment to accountability, science, and action,” Daniella Vega, Global Senior Vice President of Health and Sustainability at Ahold Delhaize, commented.

Ahold Delhaize reaffirms deforestation commitment despite challenges

The newly-validated SBTi targets come with an objective to eliminate deforestation across Ahold Delhaize’s primary deforestation-linked commodities including soy, palm oil, wood fiber, cocoa and coffee by December 31, 2025.

To date, the company has been focused on eliminating deforestation risk across its own brands, with good results: as of 2024, 91.6% of own-brand wood fiber-based products and packaging were either certified against an acceptable standard or classified as low-risk or recycled, and 99.5% of own-brand products containing tea were certified against an acceptable standard.

But Ahold Delhaize warns that achieving no deforestation across its entire assortment (beyond its own brands) will be “a challenge”. 

“We are activating all levers available to us, including supplier and industry engagement, sourcing strategies, and alignment with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). Progress towards whole assortment deforestation-free requires industry change and bringing stakeholders across our value chain along on the journey,” it said in a statement.

Ahold Delhaize net zero targets

In the long term, Ahold Delhaize is aiming to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2040. For Scope 3, the group is targeting a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 3 energy and industrial emissions and a 72% reduction in FLAG emissions by 2050, both from a 2020 baseline.

This means the retailer should achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2050.

“While we have done a lot of work in the past years to establish reduction targets and our climate approach, the exact road to net-zero is not clear yet. We will keep refining our approach as more information – for example from suppliers, or updated SBTi guidance– becomes available,” the company added.