Morrisons becomes first retailer to raise freezer temperatures in drive to net zero

In a first-of-a-kind move, supermarket Morrisons is testing out raising the temperature of its freezers by 3 degrees in order to save energy and money, stated recent reports.

The Bradford-based chain stated today (2) it has turned the freezers up in 10 stores by three degrees. Moving frozen food temperatures from -18°C to -15°C saves significant amount of energy with no impact on food safety. The current industry standard (-18°C) was set almost 100 years and has not been updated since, despite improvements in refrigeration, states the supermarket.

Recent comprehensive academic studies have shown that an increase of just three degrees in freezer temperatures across the supply chain will transform the global logistics landscape by cutting carbon emissions, saving energy and lowering costs. Widespread global adoption of a change of just 3°C across the supply chain would mean potential savings equivalent to 8.6 per cent of the UK's energy consumption, and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 3.8 million cars off the road, stated the supermarket.

In signing the Move to -15°C coalition’s letter of intent, Morrisons is also committing to advocate through the UK supply chain for food producers, logistics operations and retailers to join the coalition.

For Morrisons, the carbon savings will be an important boost to its ambitions to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2035 and the significant cost savings will enable Morrisons to further cut, hold or promote prices in its c.500 supermarkets and c.1,600 convenience stores across the UK over the long term.

Ruth McDonald, Morrisons Group Corporate Services Director, said, “Industry standards today are based on safety, science or convenience. The standard temperature for the storage and transport of frozen food today looks like it is simply a convention from nearly 100 years ago.

“We now have vastly better freezers and modern technology and monitoring that gives us a precise picture of frozen food temperatures throughout the supply chain. We applaud the Move to -15°C movement for their original thinking and willingness to challenge a long-accepted standard and in doing so identify a significant opportunity for positive progress for both the environment and the food industry."

The 10 stores taking part in the trial are geographically spread across the country, from Scotland to the south of England, to test the concept in areas with different weather patterns and supply routes before an intended wider rollout.

The move is said to be backed by the owner of the UK’s biggest frozen foods brand, Birds Eye, which is part of the Move to Minus 15°C Coalition of companies which also includes the logistics firms DP World and Blue Water, and the bacon seller Danish Crown.