Carrefour leads, Aldi last in the class: Climate Action Network rates the large retailers

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Responsible consumption file

According to the association committed to the fight against climate change, major retailers still have a lot to do to promote healthier and more sustainable food, even though progress has been made in recent years.

The "good" student in the Climate Action Network's rating is the giant Carrefour, with an average of 12.5/20, taking into account some forty criteria ranging from the transition to a non-meat diet to sustainable development practices. (Thomas Durand/ANDBZ. ABACA)

Promises, labels, commitments displayed everywhere... Environmental issues have made their way onto the shelves of major retailers. But what lies behind these beautiful labels? The Climate Action Network (RAC) has examined the issue in a study—the second of its kind after an initial barometer in 2023—the results of which the association, committed to the fight against climate change and for the ecological transition, is publishing this Tuesday, May 13.

Based on some forty criteria, including practices to reduce gas emissions and encourage the transition to a more plant-based diet, the RAC rated eight major retailers. The results: Scores range from 2/20 for discount retailer Aldi to 12.5/20 for retail giant Carrefour. Monoprix received a score of 12/20. Coopérative U achieved the average. Below that, Auchan and Lidl were almost there, with respective scores of 9.5 and 9. Intermarché was sixth (8/20). Leclerc, the French sector leader with over 24% of the market share, received one of the lowest scores, ranking second to last with a score of 4.5/20.

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