Lidl Nederland is the greenest European supermarket, followed by Lidl Poland, Albert Heijn and Jumbo, according to supermarket sector think-tank Questionmark.

The organisation studied 27 large supermarket chains in eight European countries, looking at their sustainability strategies and their contribution to the shift from animal to vegetable protein.

Consumers, the agency said, buy 70% of their food in supermarkets, and their role in the food chain is an important factor in solving environmental issues.

Just seven of the supermarket groups, including Lidl Nederland and AH, have a detailed plan to help them meet the Paris climate change targets by 2050, although none of the plans are currently on target, Questionmark said.

The three Dutch supermarkets also plan to ensure that vegetable protein accounts for 60% of sales by 2030, but are not on target to do so either. In fact, the figures show the percentage of vegetable protein sold via AH supermarkets has fallen to 44%.

“Dutch supermarkets have ambitious targets which fit an eating pattern that dovetails with ecological limits, and they are an example for other European supermarkets,” said WWF sustainable food advisor Corné van Dooren.

“At the same time, they are going to have to start making their plans come true, and more needs to be done to stimulate people to eat vegetable protein.”