Retail stores : CO2 emissions reduction commitments in UK and France

In the UK, a BRC report reveals that in their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in 2013 (relative to floor space) compared to 2005, retailers have so far achieved reductions of 37% per m2 (25% in absolute terms).
In the UK, a BRC report reveals that in their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in 2013 (relative to floor space) compared to 2005, retailers have so far achieved reductions of 37% per m2 (25% in absolute terms). The leading UK retailers have committed to address the impact of refrigeration as it contributes by 15 to 30% to the total carbon footprint of grocery retailers. The major source of emissions is leakage of HFC refrigerants and some retailers have committed to eliminating HFC systems altogether. Other approaches include improving the efficiency of fridges by installing doors, capturing cold air spillage from open-front refrigeration cases and redistributing it to areas of the store that require cooling, and recovering heat from the refrigeration system to heat the aisle space. The BRC calls for stronger economic incentives to adopt natural refrigerants. 
www.acr-news.com/news/news.asp?id=2760

In France, FCD, a retailers' association, signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, according to which retailers commit to equip at least 75% of their chiller cabinets with doors and glazing by 2020. The agreement was signed by companies such as Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, Cora, Fracap, Monoprix, Simply Market and System U and concerns around 700 km of cabinets. A study by PERIFEM-ADEME estimates that the use of double glazing on refrigerated cabinets could cut their energy use by 33-50%. Until now, these cabinets accounted for almost half the energy use of retail stores. 

RPF, janvier/février 2012.