Our sector has initiated voluntary measures to reduce energy consumption in business operations. Energy efficiency management has become crucial in running businesses and equipment inspections, as well as dedicating funds for specific investments in this area, are some of the ways managers address this issue.
FederDistribuzione together with member companies operating in both food and non-food sectors have defined voluntary guidelines to be applied in shops and in operations, with the aim of contributing to the common effort to contain energy consumption in the country. The voluntary guidelines regard operational activities and intervention in energy efficiency. The areas of intervention take into account the specificities of the sector, which must guarantee essential service levels to protect consumers, such as food safety and cold chain management. It also confirms the commitment, already undertaken some time ago by retail companies, to direct specific investments to achieve an ever-greater level of energy efficiency, for example by incentivising the self-production of electricity through renewable sources.
RND has agreed on the following best practices at the level of management of business operations. To choose a revolving door or draft lock (with good settings, see tip Use winter position of draft lock). Or choose an automatic sliding door. For automatic sliding doors, always use an HR air curtain that automatically switches on your doors (door open = curtain on; door closed = curtain off). This solution is called a ‘smart door’. In the scorecard of Indoor Climate Technology you will discover how to install the air curtain correctly. An automatic sliding door with air curtain saves about 40% gas consumption compared to an open entrance door. With the Calculation Tool of Indoor Climate Technology and TNO you calculate the savings on energy and CO₂ emissions.
Efficient logistics is essential to achieve more sustainable mobility. Among the measures being promoted is to renewal of the old fleet that uses fossil fuels. Incorporation of vehicles with environmental certification, electric, hybrids or zero emissions vehicles, as well as alternative fuels such as liquefied and compressed natural gas vehicles. To improve the mobility of cities and reduce pollution, some of ANGED companies set last-mile delivery targets 100% zero emissions by 2025, in both own and leased fleet.
The optimization of reverse logistics loads and processes, as well as two-temperature trucks, have a direct and positive impact on a more sustainable supply. Actions to reduce the effects of transport in cities. For example, by optimizing night delivery processes, adapting locking systems, alarms, isolation or specific training on staff to mitigate noise pollution.
Firms encourage the use of more sustainable transport for employees and consumers, with charging points for electric vehicles and bicycles parking lots. On the other hand, through digitalization, they improve the efficiency of both operations, production processes and the transfer of goods promoting a reduction in energy consumption and GHG emissions. Some companies aim to reduce up to 20% the emissions derived from the logistics chain in a period of 5 years from 2019, managing to reduce 6% per year thanks to measures such as the reduction of km travelled through logistic platform flow concentration or the use of more sustainable alternatives such as the train.
Associated companies are analysing ways to carry out actions of offsetting their carbon footprint through reforestation and management of forests. Moreover, companies put in place maintenance operations to ensure good equipment operation and avoid excessive consumption. Regarding energy efficiency, they use sustainability criteria in buildings and establishments design, construction and rehabilitation, incorporating elements such as certified wood or high-quality insulation, elements of efficient management of energy and water saving. ANGED companies have reduced, in 2021, up to 9% of energy consumption thanks to energy efficiency programs. These figures are kept in line as a trend of energy reduction in the last years, reaching according to the cases, a decrease in energy consumption up to 22% in the last 5 years and up to 33% since 2010. Up to 100% of the delivery fleet zero emissions by 2025.
Retailers are looking at their stores and implementing energy saving measures were possible. Larger retailers are looking to install solar panels through Government grants that were announced in September.
The Schwarz Group (Lidl, Kaufland, Schwarz Produktion, PreZero) is focusing on electricity from renewable sources to achieve its 1.5° Science Based Targets Initiative goal. In particular, the Schwarz Group expands its share of self-generated renewable energy. Through photovoltaics, the companies of Schwarz Group were able to generate around 196 million kilowatt hours of renewable electricity in fiscal year 2021. The companies of Schwarz Group will have additional photovoltaic systems by the 2025 fiscal year on or on buildings.
