Lidl Finland is the first retailer in Finland to adopt green building certification for its complete portfolio of stores and distribution centres.
EDGE was created by IFC, part of the World Bank, to help property owners and developers build and operate green buildings in a fast and affordable way. It is supported by free software that encourages solutions to reduce energy, water and embodied energy in materials by at least 20%, which is the minimum standard for EDGE certification.
Lidl Finland has achieved EDGE certification for 143 stores in total, with five of these stores – in Turku, Tampere, Espoo, Nivala and Valkeakoski – achieving the EDGE Advanced level. The Advanced level requires a 40% or better improvement in energy, water and embodied energy. Three distribution centres – in Laukaa, Jarvenpaa and Turenki – are also undergoing certification which is due to be completed this Summer.
“Lidl Finland is aiming to be carbon neutral in its operations by the end of 2025, and in Finland we are placing a lot of emphasis on the use of renewable energy, and the monitoring and reduction of energy use in stores. We are also committed to the use of responsibly sourced construction materials that are locally sourced” says Virpi Kaikkonen, Director of Real Estate and Development at Lidl Finland.
The Lidl Finland portfolio is certified by Sintali-SGS, one of IFC’s global certification providers. Through the development of an innovative portfolio certification process, Sintali and SGS are helping Lidl Finland undergo the certification process in a streamlined and efficient manner.
“Lidl Finland’s use of EDGE shows how you can reduce the carbon footprint of retail operations, and build and operate stores and warehouses in a more sustainable way” says Eleni Polychroniadou, Commercial Director at Sintali. “They are leading the way in Finland and ensuring the sustainable credentials of their activities are communicated and promoted through independent certification”.
“Certificates are a good way to set and authenticate goals. They inspire and provide clear frameworks for how to take the environment into account in construction” says Virpi Kaikkonen.
