At the Cold Chain Climate Summit 2024, the Cold Chain Federation (CCF) claimed the UK could “lead the world” from a frozen food temperate set-point of -18°C to a -15°C.
The temperature change would “secure massive reductions in the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the UK food supply chain”, stated the CCF.
The opportunities and challenges of increasing the temperature set-point of frozen food were discussed at the Summit, with Georgios Tetradis-Mairis (head of R&D Futures, Nomad Foods) sharing new research findings that moving from -18°C to -15°C “would not compromise food safety or quality” and could deliver a 10% reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
More than 200 delegates gathered on 13th March 2024 to hear from keynote speakers on the impacts of climate change on global food systems and how temperature-controlled logistics operators will need to adapt to operating in a different climate. Speakers included Tetradis-Mairis, Nomad Foods; Dr Chloe Brimicombe, climate scientist at the University of Graz; and Dr Tim Fox, independent consultant in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Warming up the cold chain “would make hugely significant savings”
Cold Chain Federation chief executive Phil Pluck said: “Moving from a -18°C to a -15°C temperature set-point for frozen food across the board would make hugely significant energy and GHG savings, to the great benefit of consumers, businesses and our warming planet.
“The -18°C set-point has not been challenged or changed in a century but the technology, equipment and processes of today’s temperature-controlled logistics mean that it is certainly time for its revision.”
Pluck continued: “This concept has been building in the global food supply chain conversation over the past year, not least at COP28, and we believe the CCF can help drive this change forwards within the UK. Our geography and Net Zero targets combined with the UK cold chain’s commitment to energy efficiency and strong relationships throughout the food supply chain, puts the UK in a unique position to move this concept from an exciting ambition to normal working practice.
“Our Climate Summit yesterday clearly showed that the UK cold chain is up for the challenge. The Cold Chain Federation has embarked on a new programme of work to bring together the UK’s temperature-controlled logistics operators with manufacturers, retailers and regulators and to facilitate the path forward for our members.”
