Expansion of the cold chain in developing countries could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 180-550 million tonnes of CO2e/yr between now and 2050, according to a study released by the Global Food Chain Council (GFCC).
The study identifies inefficiencies in the cold chain and highlights the need to use refrigeration technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2013, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) concluded that if food waste were a country, it would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, second only to China and the United States.
A more climate-friendly cold chain will not only reduce its own carbon footprint, it will extend food supplies to feed more people and reduce the estimated 3.3 billion metric tonnes of CO2-equivalent in food waste every year.
GFCC executive director, Kevin Fay said there are significant opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by expanding the cold chain and improving the energy efficiency of equipment by making the transition from high-global warming potential HFCs, to low-global warming potential (GWP) compounds and technologies, including HFOs, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and ammonia.
The study was tasked with identifying net benefits and impacts that took into account energy consumption and HFC emissions as a result of cold chain expansion.
The GFCC is supporting the proposed amendment to the Montreal Protocol treaty to facilitate the transition away from high-GWP HFC technology.
The food cold chain currently consumes about 20 per cent of global HFC usage, and energy consumption by the technology is an important factor in its overall GHG contribution.
“Effective policy approaches that capture food waste reduction, improve energy efficiency, and transition away from high-GWP HFCs provide an overwhelmingly cost-effective GHG reduction initiative,” Fay said.
Analyst firm Research and Markets said the global cold chain market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.75 per cent and 10.53 per cent in terms of revenue and volume, respectively, over the period 2014-2019.
One key trend witnessed in the market is the increased demand for cold chain logistics in emerging economies.
With the rapid increase in the global population, growth of the organized retail sector, and increased food wastage, emerging countries such as India and China are increasingly developing their own cold chain logistics facilities to meet high demand for food and to reduce wastage due to spoilage.