239 UK supermarkets are now using natural refrigerants

In its Chilling Facts latest report, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has found that, in UK, 239 stores are now using natural refrigerants – mainly CO2 and hydrocarbons – up from 46 last year and 14 three years ago. EIA surveyed supermarkets on the global warming impacts of their refrigeration systems for warehouses, transportation and stores, as well as the impact of air-conditioning systems. Overall, the survey found that in the last year, direct emissions had been reduced by over 120 000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which does not include reductions from Sainsbury’s and Aldi.
Waitrose has topped the ranking for the second consecutive year, thanks to having fitted 23 further stores with energy efficient hydrocarbon water-cooled systems in 2010 – bringing the total proportion of HFC-free stores in its estate to 11% – and having committed to be completely HFC-free by 2020.
Tesco and Sainsbury – which are ranked second and third – have now respectively 57 and 71 UK stores running on CO2.