The past century has seen the rise of globalisation, the containerisation of freight, game-changing advancements in technology, and the development of cold chain logistics. However, for almost a hundred years, one aspect of the supply chain has remained the same: the standard for frozen food transportation and storage has been, and still is, set at -18°C.
While effective in preserving food, this lower temperature requires significantly more energy, leading to higher operational costs and a larger carbon footprint. With Scope 3 and wider decarbonisation strategies staying a key priority for industry leaders, the frozen food chain represents a significant opportunity to reduce environmental impact. Recent research shows that raising the storage temperature of frozen food by just a few degrees can not only reduce carbon emissions but also lower supply chain costs—without compromising food safety. But the key to realising these benefits will be industry collaboration.
Saving costs
One of the most compelling reasons for making this change is the potential for significant cost savings. Without compromising food safety or quality, businesses could cut supply chain costs by an estimated 5-7 percent. This is due to several factors:
First, higher temperatures reduce the energy demand for refrigeration, which is one of the most energy-intensive components of the cold chain. As the global energy market becomes more volatile and energy prices continue to rise, reducing refrigeration costs helps to protect profit margins. Additionally, this shift could enable more efficient use of transport and storage infrastructure, allowing for further operational optimisation.
Beyond direct cost savings, those who are willing to adapt by adopting this change early position themselves as leaders in sustainability. This approach appeals to both increasingly eco-conscious consumers – who say that a brand’s sustainability efforts influence their purchasing decisions – and Scope-3-aware partners.
Cutting carbon
The potential environmental benefits of adjusting frozen food storage temperatures are equally compelling. Increasing the storage temperature by just a few degrees is estimated to prevent up to 17.7 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. To put that into perspective, this is equivalent to the annual emissions of 3.8 million cars.
This emissions reduction stems primarily from the reduced energy consumption associated with refrigeration. Cooling food to -18°C takes a significant amount of energy, and even small adjustments to this temperature can yield substantial energy savings. In a world where the food supply chain accounts for approximately 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, this change presents a critical opportunity to decarbonise one of the industry’s most resource-intensive processes.
Plus, this initiative aligns with global efforts to meet emissions reduction targets, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement. For businesses facing increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to reduce their environmental impact, being a first mover on simple improvements like this offers a tangible way to contribute to broader climate goals, while also enhancing operational efficiency.
Reimagining standards
Changing a century-old standard cannot be driven by individual companies alone. It requires a coordinated effort across the entire supply chain, from manufacturers and retailers to logistics providers and technology partners. This is where cross-industry coalitions like the Move to -15°C Coalition come in.
Collaboration is essential for several reasons. It ensures that all stakeholders have a voice in the process, allowing for the development of temperature standards that are both safe and economically practical. It also helps to create a level playing field, ensuring that early adopters are not at a competitive disadvantage – a common barrier to significant industrial progress. And beyond that, working together accelerates the pace of change, helping the industry to implement these new standards more quickly and efficiently by sharing best practices and specialist knowledge – for example, of new technologies to monitor and maintain optimal temperatures throughout the cold chain.
Aligning corporate goals
A willingness to rethink long-held standards is central to growth—both from a profitability and ESG perspective. By making small but significant changes, like raising the storage temperature of frozen food by a few degrees, companies can unlock a significant reduction in both supply chain costs and carbon emissions—a true win-win for business and the planet.
