The following case study is one of 20 that illustrate the Food Systems Call to Action in motion. Each story demonstrates innovative solutions and collaborative efforts across sectors, geographies, and communities, highlighting how food systems are being transformed.

Context: Promoting plant-based diets is essential to reducing carbon emissions in the food industry and achieving sustainable, climate-neutral supply chains by 2030.

Partners: Albert Heijn, 1,100+ farmers and growers (partners in fresh produce chains) and various supply chain partners for poultry, pork, beef, salmon, eggs, meat substitutes, fruits, and vegetables.
Duration: 2022-2030
Location: Netherland

Impact Achieved:

• Already doubled meat substitutes product range to more than 300 products

• 92.3% reduction in emissions across stores, distribution centers, and offices compared to 2018.

• Climate-neutral business operations and products, such as own-brand bananas and Perla coffee

Description:
Albert Heijn, the largest grocery retailer in the Netherlands, aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions across its value chains, raising their reduction target to 45% by 2030. To achieve these reductions, Albert Heijn promotes circular animal feed, deforestation-free soy, and supports the transition to plant-based diets. Through partnerships with over 1,100 farmers and growers, they have mapped CO2 emissions in their poultry and pork chains and are now extending this analysis to other categories, including beef, salmon, and vegetables. The company has doubled its meat substitute product range to over 300 options and is working towards ensuring that 60% of the proteins consumed by its customers come from vegetable sources by 2030. This shift is supported by offering a wide range of vegetarian and vegetable products, including an affordable range of vegan Price Favorite products, making the customer aware of the positive impact of eating less meat, providing inspiration for vegetarian recipes and offering vegetarian substitutes in the online shop. In addition to these efforts, Albert Heijn has already reduced emissions in its own operations by 92.3% and launched food waste reduction programs like AH Overblijvers to further support its sustainability goals.

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The Food Systems Call to Action is a global initiative that urges non-state actors and governments to take immediate steps to transform food systems by 2030. It highlights the urgent need for resilient, sustainable, and equitable approaches that support food security, protect nature, and address climate change. Through targeted actions and principles, the Call to Action emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity—ensuring that farmers, frontline workers, Indigenous communities, and other key players are at the forefront of decision-making and implementation.