Scope 3 emissions are those which are generated indirectly through our supply chain, including carbon emitted by our suppliers (upstream) and from the use and disposal of our products (downstream). They account for 96 per cent of our total emissions and are widely recognised as the most complex to reduce. Tackling them requires deep collaboration across sectors and supply chains.
We’ve set bold targets aligned to the most ambitious SBTi requirements and are fully committed to closing the gap on Scope 3 through partnership, innovation and influence.
Net Zero
Achieve net zero in our value chain by 2050
FLAG Emissions
Reduce Scope 3 forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) emissions by 36.4% by 2030
Non-FLAG emissions
Reduce Scope 3 non-FLAG target (transport, energy and industry) to 50.4% by 2030
39.8%
of our Scope 3 emissions are covered by suppliers that have had any 1.5oC targets approved by the SBTi
Collaboration
We are playing an active role in the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Mondra Coalition to accelerate the move to net zero
A rating
in our 2024 CDP climate change disclosure for the 11th year running
Our areas of focus
Collaboration and partnership with our suppliers is critical to achieving our Scope 3 reduction ambitions. We focus on priority suppliers to drive targeted action, building decarbonisation roadmaps for key hotspots such as fuel, agriculture and electricals. Alongside improving measurement and reporting, we actively contribute to IGD industry working groups to accelerate upstream and downstream progress through shared learning and coordinated action.
Driving action in hotspots
We have identified three key emission hotspots: agriculture, electricals and fuel. We are working closely with our suppliers in these areas to learn about their progress, develop decarbonisation roadmaps and innovate together to reduce the carbon footprint of our products. These roadmaps are built around shared data, clear reduction levers and measurable milestones, enabling us to track progress and prioritise action where it matters most. This work is already underway through our Making it Happen Action Groups and is supported by our involvement in industry-wide initiatives like the BRC Mondra Coalition, helping to accelerate progress across the value chain.
Improving measurement and reporting approaches
There are significant industry-wide challenges in measuring Scope 3 emissions, so we are playing an active role in the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Mondra Coalition. Comprising the UK’s leading food companies, this consortium aims to accelerate the transition to net zero by improving the measurement and management of the food sector's Scope 3 emissions.
Making diets more sustainable
We know making dietary shifts can have significant impacts on climate change. That is why we are encouraging more diverse and ‘better’ meat, fish, poultry and dairy and more plant-rich choices, through multibuys, our Aldi Price Match range and our yearly Gret Fruit and Veg Challenge. Through sustainable sourcing we are also making our meat less carbon-intensive, providing our customers with more sustainable choices and supporting our farming supply chain. We’re also active in the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD)’s Net Zero Diets workstream, helping shape industry-wide approaches to shifting consumption patterns in line with climate goals.
Find out more about our approach to healthy and sustainable diets Collaborating and engaging with suppliers
We prioritise supplier engagement and actively encourage our suppliers to join us on this journey to understand their carbon footprints and set 1.5 degree aligned SBTi targets to drive their emissions reduction. We maintain active engagement with our suppliers through our own brand supplier Making it Happen Action Groups, fostering collaborative innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of our products.
Working with our suppliers Collaborating with our industry
We continue to work to drive progress on the reduction of Scope 3 emissions through our priority industry collaboration groups, including the BRC Mondra Coalition, Institute of Grocery Distribution and WRAP. Our CEO, Simon Roberts, has also been appointed as a retailer on the UK Government’s new Food Strategy Advisory Board, supporting the development of a forward-thinking National Food Strategy.
Read more about how we are working with industry 
Case study
Conventional mushrooms grown without peat
In their natural, wet state, peatlands are a critical nature-based solution to sequester carbon and provide valuable habitats. In October 2024, we became the first UK supermarket to launch conventional mushrooms grown without peat, in close collaboration with our supplier Monaghan, which spent ten years researching peat alternatives. The new range will remove 20,465 tonnes of peat from mushroom production each year.
This change not only protects vital peatland ecosystems but also significantly reduces our Scope 3 emissions, as peat extraction and use are major sources of carbon release. By eliminating peat, we’re cutting emissions embedded in our supply chain and moving closer to our climate targets.
Case study
Lower carbon beef range
Working with ABP Food Group and more than 540 trusted British farmers, we launched a new reduced carbon, grass and forage fed Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus beef range into over 60 stores, offering high quality, great tasting products, with 25% reduced carbon compared to the industry average.
By integrating our dairy and beef supply chains, we have been able to produce a reduced carbon, fully traceable product, from farm to fork providing farmers with greater security and stability, resulting in a more sustainable, highly consistent, and traceable beef product for our customers.
