HSA_EDEKA

The socio-ecological transformation presents the food retail sector – given its pivotal role at the interface between production and consumption – with the challenge of aligning its product portfolio sustainably: Since the food system is responsible for around 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, managing the private label portfolio is of particular importance for providing transformative impulses toward sustainable nutrition and consumption.

The objective of the HSA_EDEKA project is to conduct a hot spot analysis of the EDEKA private label assortment in order to systematically evaluate potentially negative environmental impacts, identify societal risks at an early stage, and derive targeted improvement measures.

The methodological approach comprises three work packages: First, the project team will develop an assessment methodology using impact pathways that integrate quantitative life cycle assessment (LCA) data with qualitative information, such as sustainability labels. Through AI-assisted matching, products are assigned LCA datasets to evaluate environmental impacts across the dimensions of biodiversity, climate, water, and resources. Finally, the hot spots will be prioritised, taking sales volumes and societal materiality aspects into account. The results will provide EDEKA with strategic orientation for sustainable assortment development.