Supermarkets – Part of the Climate Solution
Supermarkets are both part of the problem and part of the solution to our climate crisis. Here are two big reasons (Information adapted from these sources: Ratio Institute)
The retail grocery sector has an outsize impact on climate change. Supermarket facilities are some of the most energy-intensive commercial buildings, consuming an average of 50 kilowatt-hours per square foot per year. Over 90% of typical supermarket energy consumption is attributed to refrigeration and lighting systems, and these, followed by HVAC systems, offer the biggest bang for the buck in terms of energy savings. Energy-saving measures can be categorized into two groups: (1) no- or low-cost measures or behavior changes and (2) capital improvements.
According to the EPA, the average grocery store emits 1,383 metric tonnes of CO2 per year from energy consumption alone and another 1,556 metric tonnes of CO2 eq from leaked refrigerants. That means the average grocery store is annually emitting the equivalent CO2 emissions of 635 passenger cars. At 38,000 supermarkets in the United States, that means a carbon footprint of at least 112 million metric tonnes in Scope 1 emissions alone.
This does not even include emissions generated by food waste going to landfills or plastic waste.
In addition to energy consumption, refrigerants used in grocery stores are a major source of global warming. Traditional refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been recognized for decades as having a global warming potential (GWP) value up to 12,000 times the warming potential of CO2 and is entirely man-made.
A typical supermarket consumes 4,000 pounds of refrigerants each year. A quarter of those refrigerants leak out due to faulty systems and contribute to warming our atmosphere. And that really adds up–the EIA reports that refrigerant leaks from US supermarkets emit 45 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent every year.
In December 2020, Congress passed major climate legislation. It calls for slashing hydrofluorocarbons over the next 15 years.
Learn more from this short video.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778817309544
Action is needed
While other industries have made major efforts to reduce their energy usage, few food retailers have invested in strategic energy efficiency in facilities, and even fewer have invested in renewable energy.
But, reducing GHG emissions in operations makes sense. In fact, an argument can be made that such reductions are critical for the business to survive. Supermarkets have high energy use intensity compared to other commercial building types. The industry operates with a less than 2% margin, and the average grocery store spends about $200,000 per year on energy, or about $4 per square foot. So, reducing energy expenditures can have a significant impact on operational costs and increase the viability of the business. Additionally, lowering energy costs reduces a retailer’s exposure to energy market volatility and rising energy prices.
Food retail is the nexus of our food system, where production, distribution, and consumption intersect. This means that reducing GHG emissions in facilities and the supply chain could have a meaningful impact on reducing global emissions.
Reducing emissions is also in line with the values of increasingly savvy customers and future-proofs the industry against new climate change regulations coming down the pipeline. Finally, reducing GHG emissions can have positive health impacts on the communities that the businesses serve. This is especially critical for communities that do not meet ambient air quality standards.
Learn more about solutions
A global phase-down of HFCs can help prevent up to half a degree Celsius of warming by the end of the century, which is essential to limit global warming to under 1.5°C.
For shoppers For Supermarkets and Food vendors
Where do you shop?
In Chester County there are over 40 supermarkets, most of them part of national or international chains. You’ll find
|
Supermarkets in Chester County |
Quantity in County |
|
ACME Markets |
6 |
|
ALDI |
3 |
|
Costco |
3 |
|
GIANT Food Stores |
11 |
|
Kimberton Whole Foods - Downingtown |
3 |
|
Redner's Warehouse Markets |
2 |
|
ShopRite |
1 |
|
Trader Joe's |
1 |
|
Walmart |
4 |
|
WAWA |
Many |
|
Wegmans |
2 |
|
Whole Foods Market |
1 |
Wonder who owns your favorite supermarket? Use this guide from the Climate Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard.