Biodiversity
We have prioritised actions on biodiversity in three areas: our commodity sourcing, our supply chain, and our estates; and are taking a long-term approach to improving biodiversity, taking our suppliers on the journey with us.
The natural environment plays a critical role in sustaining life and supporting the production of our food system. Our Natural Resource Stewardship Strategy prioritises driving a positive impact across water, biodiversity and soil. The natural environment is complex and interconnected and making progress in these areas helps us also deliver our broader carbon and climate change programme.
Protecting and restoring nature is pivotal for fighting climate change. Not only that, but biodiversity loss is a major risk with wide-reaching economic and societal impacts, such as crop failure, increased water stress, loss of livelihoods, and increased extreme weather events such as floods and sea-level rise due to loss of natural flood protection systems.
Expansion in global agriculture is one the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss and wildlife decline globally. That is why through our Natural Resource Stewardship Strategy we are aiming to protect and restore biodiversity.
Our Nature Strategy
Landscape and local land management
We’re adopting both landscape-level and local approaches to our Nature Strategy, recognising the interconnectedness of water, biodiversity, and soil health. By focusing on the unique needs of entire landscapes and the collective action of individual farms within them, we can restore natural processes and improve ecosystem resilience. We’re working with suppliers to identify key action areas and create clear plans. This includes trialling tools for agricultural biodiversity and expanding water stewardship projects. Globally, we support this through funding WRAP-led collective action projects in Southern Spain and South Africa, which focus on restoring natural processes and improving long-term sustainability in key sourcing areas.
Land App trial: Beef, dairy and lamb
In December 2024, Asda launched a trial with Land App, in partnership with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, to map and monitor local farm actions on sustainability across water, biodiversity, and soil health. Land App helps farmers understand habitats on their farms, make informed decisions, and access funding opportunities. The trial includes four Asda farms across beef, dairy, produce, and arable supply chains, each completing a Baseline Habitat Assessment. The goal is to explore how remote sensing technology can support farmers to improve soil health, reduce risks like flooding, and enhance wildlife habitats
LEAF marque rollout
Leaf Marque Certification is one route for farmers to take local action to make landscape-level impact.
• In 2024 Asda completed Leaf Marque rollout across 100% of our UK fresh produce growers*. This includes over 500 of our listed UK growers, spanning from Cornwall up to Aberdeenshire (but excludes prepared, organic and tertiary branded produce).
• Leaf Marque requires farmers to implement a long-term Landscape and Nature Conservation and Enhancement Plan. This rollout marks a significant step forward in improving water, biodiversity, and soil outcomes on Asda fresh produce farms.