Cooling the Climate Crisis

Why investing in sustainable refrigeration is crucial for decarbonising supermarkets

This report analyses the climate impact of supermarket refrigeration, revealing that up to 70 per cent of a supermarket’s non-supply chain emissions stem from cooling – primarily from energy consumption and the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, potent greenhouse gases.

Fortunately, cost-effective sustainable cooling alternatives exist. Drawing on EIA’s extensive expertise as well as detailed data from five major European retailers – Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, Jerónimo Martins, Metro AG and Tesco – the report identifies leading practices and highlights gaps to develop EIA’s Net Zero Supermarket Cooling Pathway, a strategic roadmap for investors and retailers alike centred around four pillars – disclosing data, cutting refrigerant emissions, reducing energy use and engaging the supply chain.

Case studies and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) data show that investing in natural refrigerant systems yields strong financial returns, with payback periods of 4-10 years. Given their 15-year lifespans, these systems continue to cut operational costs well beyond repayment.

EIA’s Investor Note accompanies this report and is intended as a tool for investors seeking to assess risk, evaluate sustainability performance and drive supermarket decarbonisation in alignment with global climate goals.