Superlist ranking announced for spring 2025 – Extremnews – The slightly different news

Superlist Environment is an initiative by Questionmark in collaboration with the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Madre Brava, the Physicians Association for Nutrition and ProVeg, and is supported by Deutsche Umwelthilfe in an advisory capacity. The supermarkets have already given feedback on the methodology at the New Food Conference on September 3 in Berlin. In spring 2025, Questionmark will publish the results of the study and a ranking of the supermarkets.

In the race for sustainability

The recently enacted EU CSRD directive on corporate sustainability reporting and the Climate Protection Act, with which the German government commits to greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045, require companies to strive for sustainability. “With the aim of accelerating sustainable action, the Superlist sparks a race to act responsibly among supermarkets and can inspire governments to use their influence to create a healthy and sustainable food system,” explains Charlotte Linnebank, Executive Director at Questionmark. Over 70 percent of the food people eat in Germany comes from supermarkets. Linnebank continues: “We are excited to see how far German supermarkets use their influence to take responsibility through their policies, ranges, promotions and business plans.”

A healthy diet for a healthy planet

The aim of the study complements the latest German nutritional guidelines, which the German Nutrition Society (DGE) published at the beginning of the year and which now also take environmental and health aspects into account – in line with the Planetary Health Diet. Niklas Oppenrieder, founder of the Doctors’ Association for Nutrition, says: “Healthy people can only exist on a healthy planet. That is why we as a medical organization support the Superlist Environment. Supermarkets must support their customers in making sustainable decisions for people and the environment.” Florian Wall, Senior Associate Germany at Madre Brava, also wants: “A food environment in which the sustainable and healthy choice is always the easy and inexpensive choice. Superlist is urging food retailers to create exactly this environment.”

First steps have been taken, but more ambition is needed

German supermarkets can look to their Dutch neighbours for inspiration for the protein transition, which are the first in the world to commit to a ratio of 60% plant-based and 40% animal protein by 2030. So far, only retailer Lidl in Germany has published its current protein ratio and set targets to increase plant-based content by 2030. Aldi Süd has also published sales figures for animal and plant-based products, but regardless of their protein content. Neither Lidl in Germany nor Aldi Süd have yet committed to a 60:40 target. “Determining the proportion of plant-based and animal products in the assortment of major retailers is a crucial first step in increasing the range of plant-based products,” says Esther Rabofski, interim head of food progress at the Albert Schweitzer Foundation. “It is clear from my discussions with companies that they see this change as inevitable. What is measured is changed. We welcome the progress that is finally being made and are actively supporting the companies.” Virginia Cecchini Kuskow, Senior Food Industry Manager at ProVeg, adds: “Benchmarks are the key to meaningful sustainability reporting. Retail in Germany has already shown responsibility, especially in the protein transition. Now everyone must set ambitious goals and implement effective measures.”

Superlist Environment Germany 2025

Superlist Environment, Questionmark’s international research and advocacy program, compares the actions supermarkets are taking in environmental sustainability and motivates them to make progress. Questionmark has already published the Superlist on health, environment, human rights and animal welfare in the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and the UK.

Source: Albert Schweitzer Foundation for our environment (ots)