In January 2009, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) launched their Chilling Facts Campaign with the publication of their first survey on supermarket refrigeration, which was carried out in the summer of 2008.
This survey showed that as much as a third of the carbon footprint of most supermarkets arises from the coolants (hydrofluorocarbons) used in their refrigeration systems, with the energy used for powering the equipment making an additional contribution.
The EIA has recently published a second survey which indicates that significant improvements have been made. This year's results show that there are now a total of 46 stores across the UK using carbon dioxide-based technology, up from just 14 stores last year.
Most significantly, nine retailers have announced measures to reduce their use of HFCs; Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Co-operative Group, Aldi, Midlands Co-operative, Sainsbury's and Waitrose; the latter three having made commitments to stop using HFCs in any future projects.
The EIA still found, however, high levels of leakage from supermarket equipment, amounting to at least 1.13 million tonnes CO2 a year.
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