ENVIRONMENT

2024 was recorded as the warmest year on record, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, while the average concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere reached an all-time high. Greece, as a Mediterranean country, is experiencing the effects of the climate crisis with increasing intensity, with devastating fires and flooding affecting critical areas annually. In 2023, the Evros fire was the largest burnt area in Europe's history, with more than 720,000 hectares destroyed.

Lidl Hellas, with a firm commitment to sustainability, has been implementing a strategic partnership with the international non-profit organisation We4All since 2022, aiming to prevent and restore the effects of natural disasters.

The initiative is based on four main pillars:

Restoring ecosystems through tree planting: planting trees in areas affected by fires or floods helps to regenerate biodiversity, stabilise soil, reduce erosion and retain water. At the same time, trees act as natural filters for air and help reduce carbon dioxide, making areas more resilient to climate change.
Cleaning up forest and urban ecosystems. Clean-ups reduce the risk of fire spreading, protecting both the natural environment and human lives.
Creating a sustainable culture of prevention: Through educational programs for employees, students and citizens, environmental awareness and knowledge of natural disaster prevention is cultivated. Understanding the importance of ecosystems, even in urban areas, reinforces collective responsibility.
Long-term strategic commitment: Action is replicable and consistent, with the aim of annually strengthening the resilience of local ecosystems and communities; actions indirectly strengthen the Net Zero target by 2050, as they work beyond the value chain, strengthening environmental resilience, prevention and social mobilization against the climate crisis.

Lidl Hellas is the first retailer in Greece to receive the Global Defender distinction from We4All, a recognition that confirms its leadership in environmental action. The active participation of the company's employees, partners and volunteers reinforces the momentum of the initiative and demonstrates the power of collective effort for a sustainable future.

Lidl Hellas' initiative in cooperation with We4All is addressed to a targeted and multi-level audience, aiming to strengthen environmental resilience and natural disaster prevention through collaborative actions.

1. Lidl Hellas employees: Through organized corporate volunteering activities and educational seminars, employees actively participate in environmental protection, strengthening the culture of sustainability within the organization and acting as multipliers of positive change.
2. Students and children: Through educational programmes in schools and participation in tree planting activities, the younger generation gains knowledge and skills to prevent natural disasters and protect the environment. Investing in environmental education is the foundation for a sustainable future.
3. Local authorities and relevant bodies: Actions are designed and implemented in cooperation with municipalities, forestry and other local stakeholders, ensuring the appropriateness of interventions and strengthening local resilience. The involvement of institutional partners ensures the sustainability and continuity of actions.
4. Local communities: Interventions are carried out in areas affected by natural disasters or at increased risk, such as Dadia, Feres and the Axios Delta. The actions contribute to restoring the natural environment and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.

The initiative aims to raise inter-generational awareness and strengthen cooperation between the private sector, society and local authorities, creating a model for collective action to prevent and respond to natural disasters.

Lidl Hellas' partnership with We4All started in 2022 and is dynamically evolving with annual planning, implementation and evaluation of actions. Each year is a self-contained cycle of actions, aiming at continuous improvement, strengthening participation and adapting to the environmental needs of each year.

The action continues into 2025, with actions already planned, while the overall planning is part of a long-term environmental responsibility plan. The aim is to gradually strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and to continuously cultivate environmental awareness within and outside the organisation.

The initiative is an integral part of Lidl Hellas' Climate Strategy 2.0 and is linked to the strategic pillar "Climate Protection