ZECC Cold Stores Roadmap

Abstract

Globally, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions from the food chain are estimated to account for 33% of the total GHG emissions . Emissions from the food chain result from direct (methane from livestock, nitrous oxide from fertilizers, carbon dioxide from land clearing, refrigerant leakage, fuel use) or indirect sources (electricity).

The main emphasises of this road map is to assess the potential for cold storage warehouses to achieve net zero. The sector covers large and small cold stores where food is stored in a chilled or frozen state. Many larger warehouses and regional distribution centres are owned by international conglomerates. On the other hand, many smaller cold stores exist at food processing outlets, in retail stores and catering outlets.

This road map presents quantified evidence on the levels of carbon that could be saved, the technologies and strategies that could be applied and looks forward to 2050 to predict whether a zero-carbon cold storage sector is feasible.