02 July 2025
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The London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released a new report which analyses the climate impact of supermarket refrigeration.
Cooling the Climate Crisis – Why investing in sustainable refrigeration is crucial for decarbonising supermarkets reveals that up to 70% of a supermarket’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions stem from cooling, primarily from energy consumption and the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, potent greenhouse gases. It adds that, globally, HFC emissions are more significant than emissions from the aviation sector.
Drawing on EIA’s 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.
The report pathway puts the spotlight on four key areas:
Disclosing data: It says comprehensive, public reporting of refrigerant emissions, energy performance and transition planning is essential to transparency and accountability.
Cutting refrigerant emissions: The report says retailers must stop installing new HFC refrigeration and commit to HFC-free refrigeration in all European stores by 2030 and globally by 2040, supported by immediate action to reduce leaks and transition to natural refrigerants (non-fluorinated alternatives)
Reducing energy usage: Cooling-related energy emissions should be reduced by 55% by 2030. Energy-efficient technologies, fridge door retrofits and renewable energy adoption are critical to achieving these savings
Engaging the supply chain: Finally, the report says supermarkets should extend climate action beyond their stores, influencing suppliers to reduce emissions from cold chain operations, particularly in transport refrigeration.
The findings add that some retailers are distinguishing themselves through notable progress in reducing HFC emissions. Metro AG, for example, has pledged to phase out 90% of HFCs across its global operations by 2030, aiming for a complete phase-out by 2040. Elsewhere, despite 'poor transparency', Tesco is identified as the only retailer using natural refrigerant technology in its transport fleet.
The full report is available to download here.
