Morrisons is the first UK retailer to take action with the Move to -15°C Coalition.
According to the retailer, it has now taken the first “concrete step” by turning the freezers up in 10 stores by 3°C.
Recent comprehensive academic studies have shown that an increase of just 3°C in freezer temperatures across the supply chain will “transform” the global logistics landscape by cutting carbon emissions, saving energy and lowering costs.
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, says the retailer, will enable it to further cut, hold or promote prices.
“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,” says Morrisons Group Corporate Services Director Ruth McDonald.
“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.
“So, on behalf of our customers, our carbon commitments and the planet, we are enthusiastically embracing the opportunity and putting together a concrete plan and timetable to increase the freezer temperatures across our stores and frozen supply chain by 3°C. As we execute our plan, we will be encouraging our suppliers and partners to do the same.”