A new study has quantified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agrifood system cold chains, revealing a total of 1.32 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂eq) in 2022. This estimate, which includes both direct emissions from refrigerants and indirect emissions from energy use, shows a steady increase from 0.52 Gt CO₂eq in 2000. The findings underscore the growing impact of refrigeration in food supply chains and highlight the need for targeted mitigation efforts.
Household and Food Processing Dominate Cold Chain Emissions
The study found that household refrigeration and food processing were the largest contributors to cold chain emissions, together accounting for 75% of the total in 2022. Household refrigeration alone contributed 0.55 Gt CO₂eq, reflecting widespread reliance on domestic refrigerators and freezers. Food processing followed with 0.42 Gt CO₂eq, driven by energy-intensive operations such as freezing, cooling, and storage.
Food retail, including supermarkets and small stores, generated 0.32 Gt CO₂eq, while food transport contributed a relatively small share of 0.03 Gt CO₂eq. Despite its lower emissions, the transport sector saw notable growth, increasing sixfold from 2000 to 2022.
Indirect Emissions Surpass Direct Refrigerant Emissions
Unlike previous studies that focused primarily on direct emissions from refrigerant use, this research also accounted for indirect emissions from energy consumption. The results indicate that in 2022, indirect emissions were more than twice the direct refrigerant-related emissions. This highlights the significant role of electricity use in refrigeration systems and the potential for energy efficiency measures to reduce the cold chain’s carbon footprint.
Aligning with Global Refrigeration Energy Use Trends
The study’s findings align with global energy use patterns in the refrigeration sector. Data from the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) suggest that refrigeration accounts for around 5% of global electricity consumption, a figure consistent with the study’s indirect emissions estimates. Further validation against existing studies also supports the methodology used to quantify cold chain emissions.
Path Forward for Cold Chain Emission Reduction
The results underscore the importance of energy-efficient refrigeration technologies and sustainable cold chain practices. Strategies such as improving household appliance efficiency, optimizing industrial refrigeration systems, and transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants could contribute to significant GHG reductions.
Future research is needed to refine estimates using country-specific energy data, incorporate regional variations in refrigeration technology, and assess emissions from fisheries-related cold chains. The study provides a crucial benchmark for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to reduce emissions across global food supply chains.
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