Chilling_Facts_Overview_CCAC

EIA’s Chilling Facts Campaign Chilling Facts : promoting HFC-free cooling from niche to mainstream Clare Perry Environmental Investigation Agency Montreal, 8 December 2012

Outline • • • • • • •

About EIA Background to the campaign Chilling Facts 1 – IV, main findings Lessons learned Information sharing Feedback Looking to the future

About EIA • Established in 1984, London and Washington DC • Independent campaigning organisation committed to bringing about change that protects the natural world from environmental crime and abuse.

• Campaigns: Illegal trade in wildlife (tigers, elephants, whales), illegal timber trade • Investigating illegal trade in ozone depleting substances (ODS) since 1997 • Closely involved in international ozone and climate negotiations for 15 years

Background to the campaign - 2007 • Accelerated phase-out of HCFCs agreed under Montreal Protocol, recognised growth of HFCs • EIA and other NGOs called for phase-out of HFCs at the 2007 Bali UNFCCC meeting • Leading UK supermarkets announced intention to move away from HFCs • EIA started to examined the use of HFCs in the UK supermarket sector

Chilling Facts 2009-2012

Chilling Facts 2009 • • • •

Survey sent to 11 UK supermarkets, 7 responded Limited momentum within the industry HFCs not in the public eye Supermarkets biggest source of HFC emissions in the UK, high leakage levels • Despite 2007 commitment by leading retailers to move away from HFCs, just 14 stores using alternatives in 7 retailers that responded • Retailers hampered by shortage of trained engineers

Chilling Facts II - 2010 • 11 retailers - 46 stores HFC-free • 9 retailers announce measures to reduce HFCs, 3 to stop using HFCs in all new installations • Still high levels of leakage, but innovative measures and targets being set, some improvements • Energy efficiency gains demonstrated in hydrocarbon & CO2 stores • Increase in training of contractors, servicing industry still dragging its heels and reluctant to embrace new technologies

Chilling Facts III - 2011 • 10 supermarkets assessed • Clear progress - 239 stores using HFC-free refrigeration, 4 retailers committed to total phaseout • Air-conditioning included for 1st time – some retailers working without A/C, some still relying on HCFCs • Consistent leakage reduction but still high levels • Several supermarkets setting training courses – but lack of standardisation

Chilling Facts IV - 2012 • Of those surveyed (17 chains), 344 stores across UK and 559 stores in Europe use HFC-free refrigeration • Direct refrigerant emissions in UK now lower than indirect emissions, in Europe still higher • Large number of retailers are committed to the Consumer Goods Forum pledge to begin phasing-out HFCs in 2015 • Retailers report significant energy efficiency gains • Holistic approach is key (system design, complementary measures such as doors) • Retailers are also taking interim steps (hybrid systems, retrofill)

Case studies

Lessons learned • Supermarkets had to take control of their refrigeration and drive change • Holistic approach is key (system and component design, complementary measures) • The retail sector is diverse: no ‘one-size fits all’ solution for refrigeration • European retailers are ready for change and are at the forefront of efforts to move away from HFC-based refrigeration • Some general challenges remain: food transport refrigeration • Legislation is needed to level the playing field

Information sharing • Raised awareness in UK at public level through media campaign • Met with supermarkets to understand their issues and improve survey • Presentations to ozone network meetings, OEWG, MOP, RAC Magazine conference, shecco events etc.

• Distributed reports to European decision makers, (Commission, Parliament & Council) and at Montreal Protocol meetings to inform legislation

Feedback from supermarkets • “…lent support to M&S plans to overcome the technical challenges of replacing HFC refrigeration systems” – M&S (2009) • “…raised the profile of refrigeration, the complexity of the issues involved and the difficulties faced by the supermarket sector in making changes…” Sainsburys (2010) • “We have tried to take a holistic approach to store design, learning from the work of Waitrose and others highlighted in last years report” – Coop (2012)

Looking to the future • Need to further engage retailers in southern & eastern Europe • Retailers must extend their commitment to HFC-free refrigeration beyond Europe and support development of solutions in developing countries • CGF commitment can help stimulate global efforts to achieve sustainable refrigeration • Legislation to level the playing field in the EU (F-gas Regulation) – ban on new HFC installations by 2020 is feasible • Challenges can be met if retailers are willing to rise to them and governments support them.

Thank you

ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (EIA) 62/63 Upper Street, London N1 0NY, UK Tel: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7354 7961 clareperry@eia-international.org

www.eia-international.org