John Lewis aims for net zero with new refrigeration

UK: John Lewis, owners of Waitrose supermarkets, says it will make a “significant investment” in new refrigeration technology as part of its efforts to achieve net zero operations by 2050.

Refrigeration is said to be one of the key targets of initial efforts to make “substantial” emissions reductions of a third over the next ten years. Also targeted are biomethane-powered trucks, electric vans and renewable electricity. 

John Lewis will also phase out all HFC refrigerants from its Waitrose stores over the next ten years, switching these to water-cooled refrigeration systems.

In addition, the group says it will continue strengthening the responsible development standards it applies to every construction project. To date, over 110 Waitrose and John Lewis shops have been certified under BREEAM, claiming to have the highest number of BREEAM-certified buildings of any UK retailer.