Reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the European retail sector

The retail sector significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with refrigeration being a major energy consumer. This study investigates decarbonisation strategies for European supermarkets using an EnergyPlus modelling across six locations in France, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and the UK. By incorporating projected climate data and electrical grid carbon intensities (EGCIs) from 2020 to 2050, the study evaluated impact on GHG emissions. Results show that electricity grid decarbonisation across all locations had the biggest effect on reducing emissions. Combining strategies, such as increasing store dead band temperature, installing doors on chilled cabinets, using air-source heat pumps (ASHPs), implementing 20% lower energy consumption cabinets and integrating solar panels, achieved carbon savings between 68.0% to 93.8%. Among individual strategies, solar panels proved most effective, particularly in high solar exposure regions. Climate change had a small impact on overall energy use. These findings offer insights for policymakers and retailers to support net-zero in the European retail sector.