Chilling Facts VI

Chilling** Facts VI: CLOSING THE DOOR ON HFCs ABOUT EIA CONTENTS The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is an independent charity founded in 1984 to fight environmental 3 KEY FINDINGS: UK AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND crime. We have developed innovative and effective investigative methods for defending the environment and seek 5 KEY FINDINGS: REST OF WORLD lasting solutions to the problems we uncover. In three decades of work, EIA 7 UPTAKE OF NATURAL REFRIGERANTS has amassed an impressive series of exposés and victories, from its key role in securing the 1989 international 10 IMPACTS OF THE EU F-GAS REGULATION ivory trade ban and helping bring in legislation to protect the world’s 11 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS precious forests to exposing the horrors of China’s tiger farms and pushing whale meat off the menu in Japan. 13 ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF HFC-FREE REFRIGERATION

We also play a unique and essential 14 DOORS ON FRIDGES - IT’S GETTING COLD IN HERE! role in combating climate change. At European level, we successfully campaigned for stricter curbs on 19 CONSUMER GOODS FORUM PLEDGE fluorinated gases in the new F-Gas Regulation adopted in March 2014, a 18 SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH AFRICA deal which will see the supply of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the European Union (EU) dramatically 20 CONCLUSION cut over the next 15 years. At the international level, EIA continues to 21 RECOMMENDATIONS be the most active NGO calling for a global HFC phase-out.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Report design by: www.designsolutions.me.uk

October 2014 © Environmental Investigation Agency 2014 WHAT ARE HFCs? No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Environmental Primarily resulting from the phase-out of ozone-destroying Investigation Agency. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons This report was produced by the London offices (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are the world’s fastest of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). growing source of man-made emissions, rising at an 1 EIA is solely and entirely responsible for alarming rate of 10-15 per cent a year. the contents of this report. They are powerful greenhouse gases (GHGs), with global warming potentials (GWP) hundreds or thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2). Left to grow, they will account for 20 per cent of total GHG emissions by 2050.2 Phasing out these gases in favour of climate-friendly alternatives represents one of the most viable and cost-effective solutions to tackling global climate change in the short term. COVER IMAGE: © iStock THE REPORT CO use of parallel compression technology intranscritical design willhelpaccelerate thetransition. Notably, the Technological advances andimprovements insystem ahead of thecurve. next decade, itiscrucialthatretailers move now to stay HFC-based equipmentsetto enter into force withinthe With shrinkingsupplyandanumberof bansontheuseof availability of thesechemicalsby 79 percent by 2030. Regulation whichwillrestrict HFC useby reducing the this year hasbeen theadoptionof thenew EUF-Gas to 1889 amongoursurveyed retailers. Akey development stores inEurope usingnatural refrigerants grow from 730 In thepast two years alone, we have seenthenumberof climate benefit. conventional HFC-based systems, resulting inadouble natural refrigerant systems whichuselessenergy than pave theway for theemergence of cost-competitive refrigeration inthesupermarket sector. leading retailers, reflecting amarket towards shift climate-friendly growing uptake of natural refrigerants amongsomeof theworld’s Since 2009, EIA’s annual 2 GREEN COOLING LEADERS because of theirongoingreliance onHFC/CO positions asEIAGreen Cooling Leaders, primarily year, Marks &Spencer andRoyal Aholdhave losttheir Süd, Migros, The Co-operative, Tesco andWaitrose. This keeping thetitlefrom lastyear are Coop Schweiz, Aldi South African retailers Makro andWoolworths. Those New Green Cooling Leaders thisyear are Carrefour and refrigeration, bothindomesticandinternational stores. title isawarded to retailers whichshow real commitment to HFC-free number of ‘EIAGreen Cooling Leaders’. The Green Cooling Leader This year we are pleasedto highlight anincrease intheoverall refrigeration systems insouthernEurope hashelped Chilling Facts 2 hybrid report hasdocumented the may seeitasanendpointinitself. refrigeration butwe are concerned thatsomeretailers as astepping-stone towards 100percent natural accepts thatHFC/CO commitments to goingHFC-free from 2015. EIA trials forward atanadequate pace, despite their technology andfailure to move HFC-free refrigeration staggering 800percent indeveloping countries by 2050, However, withHFC consumption predicted to grow by a counterparts through theirvoluntary actionsonHFCs. Southern Hemisphere leapfrog someof theirEuropean For thefirst time, we are witnessingretailers inthe inoursurveyparticipation of three SouthAfrican retailers. An exciting development thisyear hasbeenthe can implement. refrigeration-related energy saving measure aretailer on fridgesisundoubtedly thebiggestandeasiest satisfaction andinenergy consumption. Putting doors shown to reap dividends, bothinterms of customer on fridges. This straightforward measure hasbeen their carbonfootprint, namelytheplacingof doors important step retailers shouldbetaking to minimise This report alsodraws attention to asimpleyet it isclearthatmuchmore progress isrequired. 2 hybrid refrigeration canbeused 3 2 © Ollzha Dreamstime.com KEY FINDINGS FOR 2013: UK AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

THE CO-OPERATIVE (HQ IN UK)

GOOD:

• HFC-free cooling now accounts for almost 23 per cent of total refrigeration used

• Has fitted hydrocarbon-based secondary refrigeration systems in five stores

• Has rolled out doors on fridges in over 200 stores

BAD:

• Incomplete survey

EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P

3 ICELAND (HQ IN UK) LIDL (UK OFFICE) MARKS & SPENCER (HQ IN UK)

GOOD: GOOD: GOOD:

• Trialling hydrocarbon integral fridges in five • Testing new plug-in hydrocarbon chillers • 84 stores now using natural refrigerants, stores in the UK with a planned Europe roll out from 2015 mostly HFC/CO2 hybrids

• Trialling one chilled water system running • Use of frozen plates (cooled in distribution • Expanding trial of HFC-free refrigeration on hydrocarbons centres) has been rolled out to 10,000 systems to five locations delivery transport vehicles • Ammonia being used in 13 out of 15 • Piloting a fleet of nitrogen-chilled delivery distribution centres vehicles for 2014/2015

BAD: BAD: BAD:

• No doors on chilled food, although most • Needs to extend its policy of putting doors • Needs to increase roll-out of HFC-free sales are frozen food on fridges to non-dairy chillers systems

• No natural refrigerant use in food transport • Majority of UK distribution centres still • No progress on roll-out of doors, has been use HFCs at trial phase since 2011

MUSGRAVE (HQ IN ROI) TESCO (HQ IN UK) WAITROSE (HQ IN UK)

GOOD: GOOD: GOOD:

• Fridges with doors are default specification • Has rolled out natural refrigerants across 194 • 36 per cent of stores now operating for new stores and refurbishments systems (a 30 per cent increase since last HFC-free systems (111 stores) • Testing new plug-in hydrocarbon chillers year), including 63 in Eastern Europe and 13 Asia • Energy efficiency of water-cooled • Plans to extend commitment to use CO2 hydrocarbon installations up by 12 per cent across Europe from last year

BAD: • In UK, 50 per cent of Express stores and over • 95 per cent natural refrigerant use in half of all new Metro stores have doors on distribution centres • High use of HFCs in distribution centres fridges. Outside UK and China, 71 per cent of stores have doors on fridges BAD: • All distribution centres are HFC-free • No natural refrigerant use in delivery vehicles BAD: • No doors on fridges in larger UK store formats EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P • No natural refrigerant use in delivery vehicles

EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P

4 KEY FINDINGS FOR 2013: REST OF THE WORLD

ALDI SÜD (HQ IN GERMANY) CARREFOUR (HQ IN FRANCE) COOP SCHWEIZ (HQ IN SWITZERLAND)

GOOD: GOOD: GOOD:

• CO2 transcritical systems have been rolled • Since last year, the number of stores • One-third of all stores (278) now using out as standard across 234 German stores, using natural refrigerants has almost HFC-free refrigeration, keeping it well a 58 per cent increase since last year doubled to 133, including 36 using CO2 on-track to meet internal target to be transcritical systems HFC-free by 2023 • All new Swiss stores will be HFC-free, using an integrated CO2 system offering cooling • Expects energy efficiency gains of • CO2 transcritical refrigeration standard and heating 13 per cent in CO2 transcritical pilot stores for all new and refurbished stores in Southern Europe since 2010 • HFC/CO2 hybrid systems are now standard for all new Austrian stores and have been • Tentative plans to roll out CO2 across • Installed Russia’s first ever CO2 system rolled out across 111 German stores Brazil, has opened two HFC/CO2 hybrid in 2014 stores there • 43 out of 51 distribution centres across Europe are HFC-free • Has introduced doors on fridges in 173 stores in France • Uses renewable electricity in UK, Swiss and Austrian stores BAD:

• High use of HCFC-22 across estate BAD: BAD: • Only started to pilot doors on all fridges in • No progress in UK roll-out of HFC-free • No natural refrigerant use in food transport 2014 (already using doors for fish products) refrigeration, despite being the country’s fastest-growing supermarket chain • Did not supply data from distribution centres • No natural refrigerant use in food transport • Has not expanded natural refrigerant trial in • Direct emissions from refrigeration are still • Minimal use of natural refrigerants in refrigerated vehicles since last year disproportionately high distribution centres

EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P

DELHAIZE GROUP (HQ IN BELGIUM) EL CORTE INGLÉS (HQ IN SPAIN) JERÓNIMO MARTINS (HQ IN PORTUGAL)

GOOD: GOOD: GOOD:

• 61 natural refrigerant systems across EU and • Has installed HFC/CO2 hybrid systems in • Piloting three CO2 transcritical systems in US estate, including 11 HFC-free systems three per cent of stores, equating to about Poland and Portugal eight stores • Has made doors on fridges standard in all • 105 stores now have doors on fridges, new stores, including US outlets, and fitted • Using doors on fridges in 20 per cent of including 36 in Colombia, with plans to doors on fridges in all stores in Belgium stores, with 40 per cent energy savings continue the roll-out and Luxembourg reported • Investing in the use of CO2 snow to chill food • Currently piloting a fleet of 15 CO2-refrigerated in delivery vehicles lorries in Belgium, with 60 per cent greater energy efficiency than HFC-based systems BAD:

BAD: • Not yet trialling HFC-free systems, casting BAD: doubt over its ability to meet its Consumer • Large number of installations in the US still Goods Forum pledge • Two-thirds of refrigerants used in using HCFC-22 distributions centres are HFCs • No natural refrigerant use in food transport • Needs to increase use of natural refrigerants in Eastern European and Asian estate • Only one of 27 distribution centres is HFC-free

5 KAUFLAND (HQ IN GERMANY) MAKRO (HQ IN SOUTH AFRICA) METRO (HQ IN GERMANY)

GOOD: GOOD: GOOD:

• 99 stores using HFC/CO2 hybrid systems • Using CO2 transcritical systems in over • Has committed to going HFC-free in all new 50 per cent of stores and refurbished installations from 2015 • High use of ammonia in distribution centres • Plans to roll out CO2 transcritical • Has more than doubled number of natural technology as standard for all new stores refrigerant systems (both hybrid and HFC-free) and all refurbished stores to 20, adding five CO2 transcritical and six HFC/CO2 hybrid systems in 2013 BAD: • All seven of its distribution centres are HFC-free • Incomplete survey • Not yet trialling HFC-free systems, BAD: BAD: casting doubt over its ability to meet its Consumer Goods Forum pledge • Incomplete survey • Needs to start piloting natural refrigerant installations across its global estate • Has few natural refrigerant installations compared to retailers of a similar size EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P • No natural refrigerant use in delivery vehicles MIGROS (HQ IN SWITZERLAND)

GOOD:

• Has rolled out CO2 transcritical refrigeration PICK N PAY (HQ IN SOUTH AFRICA) as standard across 227 supermarkets, ROYAL AHOLD (HQ IN NETHERLANDS) accounting for 36 per cent of total stores GOOD: GOOD: • Doors on fridges rolled out across 112 stores, with reported energy savings of • Has HFC/CO2 hybrid systems in 43 stores • 262 European stores now using HFC/CO2 45 per cent and three HFC-free stores hybrids and three stores using transcritical CO2, with one further CO2 transcritical pilot • Natural refrigerants account for 83 per cent • Four of six distribution centres are system planned in the US this year of refrigerant used in distribution centres HFC-free • Most European stores use doors on fridges, with plans to make this 100 BAD: per cent by 2015

• No natural refrigerant use in delivery vehicles BAD: BAD:

• Needs to invest further in HFC-free systems • Has not progressed its European pilot of three HFC-free stores since last year EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P • No doors on fridges and some freezers • No natural refrigerant use in transport • No natural refrigerant use in delivery vehicles vehicles

WOOLWORTHS HOLDINGS LTD (HQ SOUTH AFRICA) GOOD:

• CO2 transcritical refrigeration in 24 stores • Piloting use of nitrogen cooling in four delivery vehicles with one more under construction

BAD:

• Doors on fridges piloted in just two stores to date

EIA GREEN COOLING LEADER P

6 CHILLING FACTS: THE KEY ISSUES © iStock

systems (total of 111 stores). In 1. UPTAKE OF NATURAL Switzerland, the company has developed REFRIGERANTS an HFC-free integrated CO2 system providing heating as well as refrigeration As retailers become familiar with which will be deployed as standard in HFC-free systems and the energy all of its new Swiss stores. It is unclear savings they yield, we have seen an to EIA why Aldi Süd is not rolling out increase in the pace of the roll-out. Green HFC-free systems in Austria but instead Cooling Leaders Aldi Süd, Carrefour, relying on HFC/CO2 hybrid systems. Coop Schweiz and Tesco have rapidly While parts of the company seem to be increased their use of natural refrigerants progressing well in their use of since 2013. The dominant technology alternatives, Aldi Süd is failing to move being deployed is transcritical CO2. forward in the UK where it currently has Other popular systems include one trial HFC-free store which has been water-cooled or air-cooled hydrocarbon open for more than three years. The systems and subcritical HFC/CO2 hybrid retailer reports that there is a “strong cascades (see Glossary for full definitions). chance of further installations.” EIA views the use of HFC/CO2 hybrid However, given Aldi Süd’s progressive systems as a potentially useful step- use of natural refrigerants in Germany “The transition to ping stone towards HFC-free systems, and Switzerland, it is not clear why all HFC-free refrigeration but they should not be used as an end new UK stores are not HFC-free. point in themselves. has so far caused no Other retailers increasing the pace of their natural refrigerant roll-out include operational problems. Big acceleration in CO2 global giant Carrefour, which has almost Moreover, it has refrigeration roll-out among doubled the number of stores using naturals resulted in a leading retailers to 133 at the end of 2013, including 36 using CO2 transcritical systems. It has significant amount In its German stores, Aldi Süd has made also recently opened two HFC/CO2 impressive progress, with a 58 per cent hybrid stores in Brazil. Coop Schweiz of energy savings increase in stores with CO2 transcritical now has 278 stores using transcritical and GHG reductions.” systems (total of 234 stores) and a CO2, up from 200 reported last year, and 27 per cent increase in the number of in early 2014 it installed the first ever Coop Schweiz stores with subcritical HFC/CO2 hybrid CO2 refrigeration system in Russia.

7 Major retailer Tesco has expanded its However, with 36 per cent of stores “All our new roll-out of natural systems to 194, using CO2 transcritical technology, this adding an impressive 42 transcritical retailer already has a comparatively supermarkets and CO2 systems in the UK alone, a result large HFC-free estate. South African major refurbishments of its commitment that all new and retailer Woolworths reports very positive refurbished Superstore and Extra stores experiences using CO2 transcritical adopt the hydrocarbon and one-third of Express stores here will technology and now has 24 stores water-cooled use CO2. Tesco plans to extend this using these systems. commitment to its European operations refrigeration systems as soon as possible, having already Just off the starting line rolled out five more of these systems in as standard…. Our Hungary since last year. This retailer After highlighting our concerns regarding objective is to be is focusing heavily on CO2 transcritical the lack of any natural refrigeration trials technology but also appears to use last year, this year, we are able to report free of HFC gases by hydrocarbons in Thailand and subcritical some headway among participating 2020/21” systems in China, although it is not southern European retailers, but clear if these are HFC/CO2 hybrids. progress remains frustratingly slow. Waitrose El Corte Inglés is now using hybrids in Other retailers are focusing on subcritical three per cent of its estate, equating to HFC/CO2 hybrid systems. African retailer about eight stores, while Jerónimo Martins Pick n Pay has 48 stores using CO2 has reported two CO2 transcritical system systems, three of which run on glycol trials in Portugal and one in Poland. and are completely HFC-free, while the remaining 45 use hybrid technology. It’s not all about CO2! German retailer Kaufland has more than Although CO2-based technology is doubled the number of HFC/CO2 hybrid stores to 99 this year, up from 40 emerging as the dominant natural reported last year, while Royal Ahold refrigerant alternative in supermarket has added another 35 stores using refrigeration, chains operating smaller format stores are also realising the HFC/CO2 hybrid systems to bring its total to 262 stores. benefits of using hydrocarbons such as propane. Hydrocarbon technology uses integral systems which are factory Other retailers report modest assembled and therefore often easy to increases install and cheap to maintain. The simplest type of system is a ‘plug and In Europe, Delhaize now has 56 systems play’ unit which contains the refrigeration using natural refrigerants, including 10 system integrated within the unit, very HFC-free systems; it is yet to expand similar in concept to a domestic fridge its trial of a hybrid HFC/CO2 system in or freezer. Hydrocarbon integrals can Greece. In the US, Delhaize has a further also be water-cooled to increase the five natural refrigerant-based systems, cooling capacity. including its first CO2 transcritical system. Since its first CO2 transcritical The Co-operative continues to lead the system was installed in 2010, South way on the use of hydrocarbon integrals African retailer Makro has installed a for chilled food, adding this technology further three in refurbished stores and to a further 250 stores during 2013. seven in new stores, with a view to It is also progressing in developing a going HFC-free in all new stores and hydrocarbon-based secondary refrigeration refurbishments. Marks & Spencer system which is now used in five stores. equipped a further eight stores with Lidl has made a significant move forward subcritical HFC/CO2 hybrid systems this and is now in the final stages of testing year; the retailer is currently testing a hydrocarbon plug and play unit for transcritical CO2 with positive results so chilled food, with a view to a roll-out far and plans to install two systems in across its European estate in 2015. This stores later in 2014. could be a huge breakthrough for the industry as the availability of HFC-free Although a key player in the European integrals for chilled food has been very retail market, Metro has a relatively low limited to date. Musgrave Group, which number of natural refrigerant systems. has also been using hydrocarbon integrals However, during the past year it has for frozen food is now conducting a similar more than doubled its installed base trial to Lidl for its chilled food, although to 20, with five additional transcritical a roll-out schedule is yet to be defined. CO2 and six subcritical HFC/CO2 hybrid systems. Swiss retailer Migros reports a We are pleased to note that after six modest increase of 14 HFC-free stores years of encouragement from EIA, this year bringing its total to 227. Iceland is finally trialling hydrocarbons

8 for chilled food in six stores, five of is surprising as ammonia and CO2 which are using plug and play systems technologies are well established in with the sixth using a chilled water this sub-sector. The continued use of plant running on hydrocarbons to cool HFC-404A (GWP 3,922) is entirely the cabinets. unnecessary and needs to be addressed, especially given the fast-acting EU HFC After a very rapid roll-out reported last phase-down discussed in section 3. year, progress at UK retailer Waitrose has eased off slightly, with 111 stores HCFCs: bad habits are hard to shake using water-cooled hydrocarbon systems, up from 98 reported last year. On a Eradicating HCFCs, a family of more positive note, it has developed a ozone-depleting substances targeted second generation water-cooled natural for elimination by the Montreal Protocol, refrigeration system with significant should be a top priority for supermarkets. additional energy savings. European legislation is ahead of the Montreal Protocol phase-out deadline, Distribution Centres and from January 1, 2015 the use of HCFCs will be illegal in the European Table 1. provides an overview of the Union (EU). Yet there is a worryingly refrigerants used by retailers in their high amount of HCFC-22 still in use. distribution centres. The use of natural Almost half of the refrigerant used to refrigerants in warehouses varies top up Carrefour Group’s systems in dramatically amongst retailers, which 2013 was HCFC-22, amounting to 280

TABLE 1: REFRIGERANTS USED BY RETAILERS IN THEIR DISTRIBUTION CENTRES

RETAILER REFRIGERANTS USED

ALDI SÜD 43 out of 51 are using ammonia (GWP 0)

CARREFOUR Did not supply data

COOP SCHWEIZ One third of refrigerant used is HCFC-22 (GWP 1,810) and remainder is mostly HFCs

THE CO-OPERATIVE Did not supply data

DELHAIZE In Belgium, half of refrigerant refills are ammonia In the US, most refills are HCFC-22

EL CORTE INGLÉS One out of 27 is using ammonia, one uses CO2 for low temperature, the rest use HFC-404A

ICELAND 13 out of 15 use ammonia, remaining two use HCFC-22 and HFC-407F (GWP 1,705)

JERÓNIMO MARTINS 35% of refrigerant used is ammonia, the rest is mostly HFCs

KAUFLAND Mostly ammonia (did not supply specific data)

LIDL Only supplied UK data: five use HFC-404a and four use CO2 and ammonia

MAKRO Did not supply data

MARKS & SPENCER Six out of eight are HFC-free, using ammonia; remaining two use a mix of HCFCs and HFCs and are under review

METRO All seven use ammonia

MIGROS Natural refrigerants account for 83% of refrigerant used

MUSGRAVE 90% of refrigeration equipment uses HFC-404a, 10% uses ammonia

PICK N PAY Two out of six use HCFC-22; remaining four use ammonia

ROYAL AHOLD Did not supply data

TESCO 100% use ammonia

WAITROSE 95% of refrigerant used is ammonia

WOOLWORTHS Two out of four use HFC-404a, with remaining two using HCFC-22

9 tonnes. As HCFC-22 is also a greenhouse CO2-equivalence rather than metric gas with a GWP of 1,810, these emissions weight, meaning that HFCs with a lower have the same impact on the climate GWP will be more sought after by end- system as over half a million tonnes users; use of HFCs such as HFC-404A of CO2. Although much of this may be (GWP 3,922) will simply be out of the partly attributable to the fact that 35 per question once the cuts begin to take cent of Carrefour’s sales area is located effect. As a major source of demand, in developing countries, any HCFC-22 the supermarket sector is expected to remaining in its European outlets must achieve a large proportion of the early cuts, be targeted for rapid removal. Similarly, especially since low-GWP alternatives Co-op Schweiz is still relying on HCFC-22 are further developed in the supermarket to cool one-third of its distribution sector than in air-conditioning, the other centres. In contrast, Pick n Pay, which major consuming sector. is based in a developing country, has

already converted two-thirds of its Given the vast amount of HFC-404A in © EIA distribution centres to ammonia, with supermarket systems, the most likely the remaining using HCFC-22. first step approach for existing systems ABOVE: will be to remove the HFC-404A and EIA Position Paper on HFCs in the replace it with a ‘drop-in’ HFC with a Review of the EU F-Gas Regulation. GWP lower than 2,500. Marks & 2. IMPACTS OF THE EU Spencer has already removed all F-GAS REGULATION HFC-404A from its refrigeration systems and replaced it with HFC-407A (GWP In 2015, new legislation to control 1,990). Tesco has also been very proactive, fluorinated gases in the form of the stating that any existing stores not F-Gas Regulation will come into force in converted to natural refrigerants over the EU. It is by far the most ambitious the next four years will be switched from HFC regulation in the world, setting out HFC-404A to HFC-407F (GWP 1,705). numerous use-restrictions including new Waitrose has replaced HFC-404A with product and equipment bans, by-product an HFC that has a GWP of 1,770 in 48 destruction obligations and a phase- stores. Co-op Schweiz predicts that by down schedule. It will require business- 2020 most of its stores will be using es to rethink how they currently use CO2 only. HFCs and open up a huge market for HFC-free alternatives. However, some retailers do not seem to be aware of the need for quick action to At the core of the new F-Gas Regulation address HFC-404A use. Worryingly, is a reduction in the quantity of HFCs Metro says that it plans to phase-out allowed on the EU market. This phase- HFC-404a by 2025, a full five years after down is fast-acting, with the first cuts the virgin HFC-404A ban. Aldi Süd has a due in 2016 and a stepwise reduction to company policy to phase-out HFC-404A just 31 per cent of the baseline eight in new units, but its plans to address years later. It is possible that the existing systems are unclear. Other schedule will be strengthened in 2022 retailers are not specific about their when it comes under regulatory review. plans. Retailers would do well to treat the service ban as an immediate de facto Use of high-GWP HFCs in existing HFC-404A ban for any new equipment - for example, where replacing equipment refrigeration systems: the currently using HCFC-22 - and put ‘service ban’ in place a schedule for phasing out HFC-404A from their existing estate as With some minor exemptions, virgin soon as possible. HFCs with a GWP of 2,500 or more will no longer be permitted for servicing or maintaining refrigeration equipment EU equipment bans relevant to with a charge size of 40 tonnes of CO2 the supermarket sector: equivalent or more from January 1, 2020. This means that from 2020, virgin Two placing-on-the-market (ie new HFC-404A cannot be used to service equipment) bans will have an impact on equipment with a charge of just over retailers: the 2022 ban on HFCs (GWP 10kg of refrigerant. ≥150) in hermetically sealed equipment and the 2022 ban on HFCs (GWP ≥150) However, retailers will have to act well in multipack centralised equipment, ahead of 2020 in order to comply with which has an exception for cascade the 37 per cent cut in HFC consumption systems where the primary circuit can required in 2018 under the phase-down use HFCs with GWP <1,500 (i.e. HFC- schedule. The phase-down is based on 134a). By July 2017, the European

10 “Technological TABLE 2: EU EQUIPMENT AND USE BANS RELEVANT TO THE SUPERMARKET SECTOR advances are PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT DATE OF PROHIBITION GWP THRESHOLD boosting the market potential for Refrigerators/freezers for commercial use 2020 2,500 HFC-free applications (hermetically sealed) in supermarkets Refrigerators/freezers for commercial use 2022 150 within Europe (hermetically sealed)

and beyond” Stationary refrigeration equipment 2020 2,500 (except equipment for cooling below -50°C)

Multipack centralised refrigeration systems 2022 150 (commercial use, 40kW or more)

Exemption for cascade systems, where GWP 1,500 may be used for primary refrigerant circuit

Commission must publish a report an HFC/CO2 hybrid system and the third assessing this prohibition and could a transcritical CO2 system with a parallel submit a legislative proposal to amend compressor. Power consumption is it, while a further review in 2022 compared for three European cities could bring in additional bans and a located in different temperature bands. strengthened phase-down schedule. The annual average temperature is With rapid breakthroughs for CO2 shown in brackets. In Palermo, a city technologies in warm climates and situated in the far south of Italy with a declining equipment costs, a prudent warm climate, the use of a CO2 system investment would be to roll out HFC-free with a parallel compressor improves the stores exclusively from this point. energy efficiency of transcritical CO2 bringing it on par with the HFC/CO2 hybrid system.

3. TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Following the success of the pilots, Carrefour has announced plans to Parallel compression technology install a further 10 such systems throughout Italy in 2014.5 The retailer Historically, high summer temperatures has already deployed CO2 technology have presented a considerable barrier to in its European stores but it is hoped the roll-out of CO2 technology throughout these new systems will pave the way Southern Europe. However, the evolution for a full-scale CO2 roll-out in tropical of parallel compression technology could regions, including Brazil. soon result in the limitless application of CO2 refrigeration around the globe. Transport refrigeration The technology differs from existing transcritical CO2 systems in that it With the explosion in online grocery becomes increasingly energy-efficient sales, the number of refrigerated as ambient air temperatures rise due to transport vehicles in operation is the use of a parallel compressor which expected to grow rapidly in the coming accepts CO2 ‘flash gas’ at a higher years.6 Alarmingly, the majority of pressure. The world’s second largest retailers surveyed this year continue to retailer, Carrefour, first announced it use extremely potent HFCs such as was trialling these systems in 2013 in HFC-404A to cool their produce on the several locations across Southern Europe, road. While the charge sizes may be including Romania, Italy and Spain. comparatively small, this type of The results so far are very promising; refrigeration is subject to high leakage one store in Valencia (where the average rates because the units are often summer temperature is 24.9°C)4 is bounced around during transport. In reporting energy savings of up to 2012, EIA highlighted that retailers 13 per cent over an HFC-404A system. appeared to be putting this issue on the backburner, with almost all retailers Figure 1 compares energy consumption entirely reliant on HFCs. Two years on, between three types of CO2 systems; the a handful of retailers are making some first shows a transcritical CO2 system progress on this issue. Lidl is continuing using a standard flash valve, the second to use specially designed eutectic plates,

11 FIGURE 1: ENERGY CONSUMPTION COMPARISON BETWEEN THREE TYPES OF CO2 SYSTEMS Source: Carel

BOOSTER WITH CASCADE BOOSTER WITH FLASH VALVE R134a/CO2 PARALLEL COMP 200 180 ~ 160 -6% 140 -10% 120 100 80 60 Power Consumption [kW] 40 20 0 Munich [8°C] Venice [13°C] Palermo [18°C]

cooled at its distribution centres, to CO2 equivalent per year over keep perishable produce frozen on conventional systems in recent trials. the road, without the need for an additional refrigerant. Although these developments are positive, EIA is disappointed that 60 After successfully piloting the technology per cent of retailers surveyed are yet in 2013, UK retailer Sainsbury’s has to pilot any natural refrigerant invested in CO2 refrigerated trailers. delivery vehicles. The technology is predicted to save the retailer 70,000 tonnes of CO2e per year compared to its existing fleet which runs on HFC-404A.7 Marks & Spencer has also informed EIA that it intends to purchase 25 nitrogen-cooled vehicles following a successful pilot of the system which yielded energy savings of 20 per cent compared with its existing trucks. While this represents only a fraction of Marks & Spencer’s delivery fleet, EIA is hopeful that in time they will replace the company’s existing systems which are predominantly reliant on HFC-404A.

Elsewhere in Europe, Delhaize has announced it will purchase 15 transportation trailers cooled with liquid CO2 this year, having recorded energy savings of 60 per cent, and a 90 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared © Carl Creative Commons 2014 to conventional HFC-based systems. Potential technology break-through Although it did not participate in EIA’s for transport refrigeration survey, it is worth mentioning that SPAR Netherlands has shown that a full roll-out of these cryogenic systems is Producers of a new ‘heat-hybrid’ system, combining cryogenic technologically and feasibly possible. cooling with waste heat recovery from a vehicle’s engine, say The retailer announced it had converted that this technology will not only cut fuel consumption but that 100 per cent of its fleet in 2013.8 it will also remove the need for HFC refrigerants altogether.9 Presented as an improvement on traditional cryogenic cooling Nitrogen-cooled transport containers are also being deployed in South Africa. systems, it uses liquid nitrogen to provide both cooling and some Woolworths plans to deploy its fifth power, which reportedly makes the system far more efficient and nitrogen-cooled container, having cost-effective. Trials are currently ongoing. achieved savings of 3,000 tonnes of

12 Makro, Migros, Royal Ahold and 4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF Waitrose are also reporting the economic benefits of integrating HFC-FREE REFRIGERATION refrigeration and heating systems HFC-free systems are a double in order to warm stores with recovered waste heat during win for the climate winter months. The benefits of HFC-free refrigeration extend beyond direct emissions Energy efficiency of natural reductions: efficiency gains from the refrigerants in warmer climates use of natural refrigerant systems are also enabling retailers to save Concern about the energy efficiency significant amounts on their energy of transcritical CO2 systems in bills. Commercial refrigeration warmer climates has prevented many currently accounts for one-third of retailers from taking the plunge but the the world’s HFC consumption10 and technology is now advancing at such represents the largest share of a a pace that it regularly outperforms supermarket’s energy demand.11 HFC-based systems. As mentioned in Despite this, many retailers are the previous section, Carrefour’s use losing out on potential savings of parallel compressors is reaping through their continued use of impressive energy savings in inefficient HFC-based equipment. Southern Europe.

Energy efficiency is one of our most The roll-out of HFC-free refrigeration effective weapons in the fight against outside of Europe has not been climate change. In the EU, the without its challenges; Delhaize has European Commission recently put reported slight energy efficiency forward a proposal for an economy-wide penalties in its transcritical CO2 30 per cent energy savings target by installations in the US compared with 2030 and countries around the world its conventional HFC and HCFC-based are developing their own strategies to systems. However, this may be due to tackle this crucial objective.12 the infancy of the trial and limited experience in working with this type Against this backdrop, the value of of installation in the US. Cash and switching to energy-efficient HFC-free carry retailer Makro reports that its refrigeration technology should be CO2 systems generate energy self-evident. efficiency returns of 35 per cent over conventional systems in its South In Switzerland, where legislation bans African stores, aided by the use of the use of HFCs in most commercial recycled refrigeration condensate. applications,13 CO2 has become the Although subject to variation according refrigerant of choice. Coop Schweiz, to climate, a general trend of five per which has already converted one-third cent lower energy consumption in of its stores to CO2 refrigeration, natural refrigerant systems is also reports energy efficiency gains of 25-30 reported by Tesco, which operates per cent over HFC-based systems. 13 of these systems across Asia and Another Swiss retailer, Migros, is 63 in Eastern Europe. reporting similar gains with its new CO2 systems, which use on average 33 per It is clear that technological cent less energy than its HFC-based advances are boosting the market systems. In the UK, Marks & Spencer potential for HFC-free applications in “ Commercial reports modest energy savings from supermarkets within Europe and both its HFC/CO2 hybrid and HFC-free beyond. The use of CO2 in well-designed refrigeration systems, but Waitrose’s improved cabinets is continuing to outperform currently accounts water-cooled hydrocarbon integrals conventional HFC-based systems. have resulted in energy efficiency gains Even in warmer climates where for one-third of of by 34.2 per cent since 2012. fluorinated chemicals have been the Similarly, Musgrave’s initial trials of dominant technology for decades, we the world’s HFC hydrocarbon integral units for chilled are now seeing a growing technological consumption and food have so far reaped energy savings shift towards climate-conscious of 40 per cent compared to its previous cooling. With the price of CO2 represents the centralised systems. installations continuing to drop largest share of a year-on-year, EIA hopes more retailers The benefits of better designed systems will follow suit by investing in new, supermarket’s are not limited to refrigeration alone. climate-friendly alternatives that don’t energy demand” A number of retailers including Lidl, cost the earth.

13 usually accounting for about half a 5. DOORS ON FRIDGES – IT’S retailer’s energy consumption14 and about a quarter of a retailer’s carbon GETTING COLD IN HERE! footprint. Therefore, reducing the amount of energy used by these systems Many of us would baulk at the idea of not only diminishes a retailer’s carbon leaving our fridge doors open at home footprint but also reaps cost savings. yet we think nothing of strolling down The energy reductions associated with chilly supermarket aisles as open swapping from open to closed-door refrigeration cabinets blast out freezing refrigeration systems are well cold air. The impacts of this, which is documented and very impressive. standard practice in most supermarkets, A 2014 analysis of 14 separate studies, are numerous. The most obvious drawback detailed in Figure 2, found that the is that it takes a lot more energy for a majority of studies showed savings of refrigerator to keep food cool if it does over 50 per cent. 15 not have a door. There are myriad other problems associated with open fridges, Stores with doors including food safety hazards and, from a human comfort perspective, the fact Table 3 details the extent to which that many of us would prefer not to have surveyed retailers are using doors on to wrap up warm to buy our groceries! fridges and the estimated energy However, despite the clear benefits of savings associated with this measure. equipping their fridges with doors, Adding doors is by far the biggest retailers are reluctant to adopt this refrigeration-related energy saving simple measure, mainly because they measure a retailer can take, resulting fear it will reduce ‘impulse buy’ sales. in average reductions of about 33 per cent. This represents considerable cost Energy savings savings; in the US, Delhaize estimates annual savings from its 800 stores Refrigeration is the biggest source of with doors on fridges amount to demand for energy within a supermarket, US$8 million.

14 “Adding doors is FIGURE 2: REPORTED ENERGY SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH USING DOORS ON FRIDGES WHEN by far the biggest COMPARED TO FRIDGES WITHOUT DOORS Source: Evans (2014) refrigeration-related

energy saving KWN (2004) 86% REAL LIFE Hale et al (2008) measure a retailer 82% TEST ROOM Navigant Consulting (2009) 73% UNKNOWN can take, resulting Kröger (2007a) 70% Faramarzi et al (2002) 68% in average reductions Markusson and Rolfsman (2013) 60% Lindberg et al (2010) 56% of about 33 per cent” RD&T (2013) 51% Schmidt (2007b) 50% Fricke and Becker (2010) 50% PERIFEM and ADEME (2008) 46% Brouwers (2007) 40% van der Sluis (2007) 40% Rhiemeier et al (2009) 33% Post (2007) 30% Lindberg et al (2010) 30% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Royal Ahold has been leading the charge Added Benefits of doors with almost all stores now equipped with doors on fridges across Europe. Reduced refrigerant charge Outside the UK, Tesco’s use of doors on The reduced electrical load on closed fridges is exemplary: in Turkey, over refrigeration systems means that the 95 per cent of its stores use them, closely same cooling can be achieved with a followed by 84 per cent in Poland, smaller refrigerant charge size. This 75 per cent in Hungary and over 86 per has very positive implications for the cent in Thailand. In the UK, it has use of natural refrigerants such as committed to doors on fridges in its hydrocarbons which, due to their smaller format stores but not larger stores. flammability, are subject to stringent In Belgium and Luxembourg, all Delhaize charge size limitations. By facilitating stores are equipped with doors on the use of HFC-free alternatives, chilled food; however, it is not clear why doors on fridges further reduce the this standard is not applied to its other environmental impact of refrigeration. European stores. Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, Jerónimo Martins and Migros Making supermarkets more have all increased the number of stores customer-friendly using doors on fridges since last year. Cold air spilling from open cabinets reduces the surrounding temperature, Retailers Aldi Süd, Marks & Spencer leading to what is known as the ‘cold and Pick n Pay are less keen on aisle effect.’ This can leave some adopting this measure. Aldi Süd has supermarket aisles uncomfortably cold, rejected doors on fridges, citing findings especially in warmer months when that doors negatively impact on energy customers are less wrapped up. In turn, efficiency during opening hours, and this can reduce the amount of time has instead focused on night blinds. customers are willing to spend in these Although it has run trials since 2011, areas and may have an impact on sales. Marks & Spencer is reluctant to move By putting doors on fridges, supermarkets forward, primarily owing to a feared can make their chilled food areas more impact on sales. Pick n Pay is yet to comfortable and thereby encourage adopt doors on fridges and still has a customers to linger. small number of upright freezers with no doors. Good for sales Retailers’ biggest fear is that placing a Alternative solutions used by retailers glass door between customers and include Metro’s chilled areas which are chilled food items will reduce sales. isolated from the rest of the store using This may be because of congestion in walk-in doors. Waitrose’s integrated the aisle or fewer impulse buys. system retrieves the cold air which However, more progressive retailers spills out from the cabinets and re-uses have shown how these concerns can be it in areas of the building that would overcome. Carrefour has focused on normally require air-conditioning. addressing teething problems associated

15 TABLE 3: USE OF DOORS ON FRIDGES AND RESULTANT ENERGY SAVINGS REPORTED BY RETAILERS

RETAILER NUMBER OF STORES WITH ENERGY SAVING DOORS ON FRIDGES

ALDI SÜD 0 -

CARREFOUR 173 in France (3.6% of stores), more in 18% other countries

COOP SCHWEIZ 828 For fresh fish only Data not supplied

THE CO-OPERATIVE 200 Data not supplied

DELHAIZE Belgium and Luxembourg, 180 stores Energy saving equivalent to $8 million (100%). In the US, 800 stores annually in the US

EL CORTE INGLÉS 52 (20% of stores) 40%

ICELAND 0 -

JERÓNIMO MARTINS 105 (46 in Portugal, 23 in Poland and 40% 36 in Colombia) (3.6% of stores)

KAUFLAND Fridges containing meat have doors - do not specify how many stores

LIDL ‘Roll-in’ milk chillers will be fitted with Approximately 33% doors (two bays out of 25 per store)

MAKRO Did not supply data

MARKS & SPENCER Small trial since 2011 35-40%

METRO Unclear how many stores use doors, Separated chilled area can reduce but if doors are not fitted then sealed energy consumption by up to 30% separate chilled food areas are used.

MIGROS 112 (17% of stores) Up to 45%

MUSGRAVE GROUP IRELAND Data not available as operated by Approximately 30% franchises. Default specification for all new and refurbished stores is for doors on chilled and frozen cabinets

PICK N PAY 0 -

ROYAL AHOLD 855 (45% of stores) Up to 25%

TESCO UK: 50% of Express stores and most Approximately 30% Metro stores. Larger stores do not have doors fitted; outside the UK (except China) over 2,500 (71%) stores have doors

WAITROSE Installing doors in small stores in 35% petrol stations

WOOLWORTHS Two stores (0.5%) 27%

16 © EIA 2014

with restocking shelves and easy-to-use Swedish supermarket found that average doors for customers and has consequently daytime air temperatures inside experienced steady sales. The Co-operative chilled food cabinets decreased from has reported positive customer 6.7°C to 4.7°C for meat and 7.2°C to perceptions such as a reduced ‘cold 3.6°C for dairy.20 aisle effect’ and has also found that LED lights around doors have enhanced Food waste the customer experience, reporting that: Food waste is an enormous “customers said it brought the product environmental and social problem. It is to life. In no places where we have put estimated that about one-third of food doors on fridges have sales gone down”.16 produced globally is discarded before it Another positive impact is a drop in can be eaten, wasting vast amounts of shoplifting, further benefiting sales margins. water, energy and land used to produce it and costing about US$200 billion Food safety annually in industrialised countries 21 Fitting chilled food cabinets with doors alone. While most food waste happens can lower the temperature inside the in homes, the total lifespan of food cabinet, reducing the risk of food purchased from supermarkets is poisoning from bacteria. Experts dependent upon how it is stored in the recommend that domestic fridge supermarket. By adding doors to fridges temperatures do not exceed 5°C,17 and keeping food cooler, supermarkets however, in the commercial sector UK can help increase a product’s lifespan regulations allow chilled food to be even after it is sitting in your fridge held at or below 8°C.18 These higher at home. temperatures can have a big impact on food safety. For example, Listeria, a food Overcoming barriers to adopting poisoning bacterium that can harm doors on fridges unborn babies, grows nearly twice as fast at 8°C as it does at 5°C.19 A 2008 Slow progress study looking at the effect of putting Despite the obvious benefits of doors on doors on refrigerated food cabinets in a fridges and positive moves from some

17 retailers, there is general reluctance “In South Africa, within the industry to make the switch. 6. SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH In 2013, the UK’s Department for AFRICA: HOW DEVELOPING most of the leading Energy and Climate Change (DECC) retailers have announced the creation of a Retail Refrigeration Task Force, targeting COUNTRIES CAN LEAD started to move measures to reduce energy use within THE WAY towards natural the sector. However, supermarkets’ failure to act resulted in the watering refrigerants” down of the task force to a Retailer Since 2008, EIA has expanded the scope Energy Efficiency Task Force which of its Chilling Facts reports to cover a Makro has yet to see any commitment to growing number of retailers, initially adopt doors on fridges. A recent within the UK, and later across Europe. Department of Environment, Food Having highlighted the progress of some and Rural Affairs (Defra) report has retailers in emerging economies in last suggested “Despite the many benefits year’s report, this year we are excited to it may require more positive include three South African retailers. intervention from Government to EIA is impressed by the speed and encourage or insist on the use of doors extent to which these retailers are on chilled displays.”22 transitioning to natural alternatives, overtaking a number of European Future regulation supermarkets along the way and putting European regulators are currently them well ahead of their US counterparts. considering proposals aimed at From 2008-2011, South Africa’s second increasing the energy efficiency of largest retailer Pick n Pay converted commercial refrigeration units under three of its stores to CO2 and glycol the Ecodesign Directive. The legislation systems in a project co-funded by the works by setting energy performance German Government and South Africa’s standards for equipment manufacturers Environment Ministry. EIA is encouraged to meet. If these standards are to learn that it now has an additional ambitious enough they will encourage 45 stores running on HFC/CO2 hybrid the adoption of key energy-saving systems. While Pick n Pay has highlighted measures such as doors on fridges. the costs of natural refrigerant-based However, current proposals fall far equipment as the main barrier preventing short of the ambition required and it going totally HFC-free, other South will allow many existing cabinets African retailers have reported a number without doors to remain on the of positive outcomes as result of their market indefinitely.23 transition to naturals. For example, © World Skills Creative Commons 2014

18 “2014 is crunch time Woolworths, which has rolled out CO2 refrigeration ahead of many of its transcritical technology across 24 of its competitors on the global market. for the CGF and its stores, cites better temperature control, members to finalise lower maintenance, a reduction in plant Following the installation of its first size and a substantial reduction in its ammonia/CO2 refrigeration plant in 2010, preparations to carbon footprint among the benefits. Makro has installed CO2 transcritical begin phasing out What is more, employees are specially systems in seven new and three trained by suppliers and contractors to refurbished stores, with a commitment the use of HFCs ensure safety standards are upheld to roll this out across all refurbishments when working with natural refrigerants. from now on. Over half of the company’s in 2015” Despite the challenges posed by a refrigeration systems are now reported climatically diverse estate, parts of to be running on 100 per cent HFC-free which experience temperatures of up technology. By using reclaimed to 50°C, Woolworths has reported no condensate from its refrigeration units, operational problems with the CO2 Makro has significantly improved its transcritical technology. By systems’ efficiency when temperatures benchmarking itself against UK rise above 27°C. During these periods of retailers, the company has been able high demand, up to 50 per cent of the to develop its ambitious policy on plant’s cooling capacity can be retrieved from thermal storage tanks which collect waste air over time.24 EIA President Allan Thornton addressing members of the It is apparent to EIA that these South Consumer Goods Forum African retailers are ahead of the game and their ambitious voluntary actions should serve as a demonstration to other retailers across the globe that HFCs can no longer be viewed as a viable solution for commercial refrigeration.

7. CONSUMER GOODS FORUM PLEDGE In 2010, the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) made international headlines with its ambitious pledge to begin phasing out HFCs from 2015. Four years on, EIA’s research shows that some CGF members have made significant efforts to realise this commitment while others are not yet out of the starting blocks.

In June 2014, EIA analysed CGF board members’ progress towards the Activation Steps outlined by the CGF Secretariat in 2013, aimed at guiding retailers towards meeting their commitment.25 Of the 25 retailer board members, EIA estimated that up to 16 have yet to make a public commitment to phase out HFCs in new installations from 2015. Just 18 retailers appeared to be piloting systems with natural refrigerants, indicating that numerous retailers are unprepared to begin phasing out HFC refrigeration in 2015. It is also important to note that, in some cases, a company’s commitment to move away from HFCs only appears to apply to the country in which it is based. EIA considers that any such commitment should extend across a

The six editions of EIA’s annual Chilling that the market for HFCs will shrink, “Many of the Facts report are testament to how with legislation in the pipeline which quickly a market can change. Many could ban certain HFCs in the challenges cited as of the challenges cited as hurdles to refrigeration, foam, aerosol and car hurdles to adopting adopting HFC-free technology have now air-conditioning sectors. These been addressed and leading retailers regulatory developments mean that HFC-free technology are rolling out climate-friendly companies which have not taken refrigeration around the world, steps to phase out HFCs will be at a have now been achieving a double win by slashing significant disadvantage unless they addressed” greenhouse gas emissions while act swiftly. making significant energy savings. This year’s report has highlighted the Now that we have clear regulatory pressing need for doors on fridges. signals in place in Europe, and pending It shows that despite remarkable elsewhere, HFC-free cooling technology energy savings (and associated cost will continue to flourish and early reductions), retailers’ fear of sales movers will be rewarded. The adoption impacts has blocked action on this of the EU F-Gas Regulation has already critical issue. The fact that other acted as a signal beyond Europe’s retailers are adopting doors on fridges borders and moves to eliminate HFCs suggests these fears are unfounded. are afoot in many other countries. Japan Despite numerous opportunities to has recently announced its intention to address this issue, many retailers phase down HFCs by encouraging a shift seem unwilling to take the plunge to lower-GWP alternatives.26 Regulatory and it is now time for policy-makers developments in the US also suggest to step in.

20 RECOMMENDATIONS

RETAILERS

• Commit to installing only HFC-free systems in all new stores and refurbishments, across entire estate, including their food transport systems and international operations

• Commit to a total phase-out by 2025 at the latest • Fit doors on all chiller and freezer units as standard • Remove any HFCs with GWP above 2,500 in existing equipment as a matter of priority

GOVERNMENTS

• Adopt ambitious energy efficiency standards which will encourage the uptake of doors on fridges

• Support an HFC-free transition in the supermarket sector to meet HFC supply reductions of the EU F-Gas Regulation

• Support the shift to HFC-free technologies by investing in increased capacity and skills development for the refrigeration servicing industry

GLOSSARY

Climate-Friendly Integrals This term refers to refrigerants with a low global A refrigeration system which is completely self-contained; warming potential. integrals are also referred to as ‘plug and play’ or stand- alone cabinets. CO2 Carbon dioxide is the reference used to compare the Natural Refrigerant impact of other greenhouse gases on the climate A group of five refrigerants which commonly exist in system in terms of their global warming potential (GWP). nature: air, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons It is also used as a refrigerant. and water.

GWP Subcritical CO2 Cascade Global Warming Potential. This defines the warming Refers to a system using CO2 in the low temperature effect of a gas compared to the same mass of CO2 cycle and another refrigerant in the medium released into the atmosphere. GWPs used in this report temperature cycle. are based on a 100-year time frame. Transcritical CO2 Hybrid Refers to a system using CO2 in both the low and Any system using two refrigerants for different parts medium temperature cycles. of the cooling cycle; often these combine a natural refrigerant with an HFC, although sometimes both Water-cooled hydrocarbons refrigerants are HFC-free. Hydrocarbons used in conjunction with water cooling to minimise the refrigerant charge. Indirect emissions Emissions from a refrigeration system resulting from the energy used to operate the system.

21 REFERENCES

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22 ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (EIA) 62/63 Upper Street London N1 0NY, UK Tel: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7354 7961 email: [email protected]