United States Supermarket Scorecard 2024

The 2024 edition of the bi-annual Climate-Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard marks the third time in four years that EIA scored the biggest U.S. supermarket chains on their actions to reduce emissions of climate super pollutant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Each company is scored on actions in three categories of technology adoption, refrigerant management, and policy & commitments. For more information, visit our scorecard FAQ page. 

Regarding technology adoption, this refers to a company’s installation of refrigeration systems that use ultra-low global warming potential (<10 GWP) refrigerants. Medium-GWP refrigerants are those with potentials from 150-1400 GWP, and high-GWP are any refrigerant above.

Sector Progress

There has been an increase in commitments to tackle refrigerant emissions by U.S. supermarket retailers, but we aren’t yet seeing the implementation, or specifics about implementation plans, to meet those goals in terms of wide adoption of climate-friendly ultra-low global warming potential (<10 GWP) refrigerants across stores. For example, Walmart has made a major commitment to eliminate all emissions including HFCs by 2040, but has only installed ultra-low GWP refrigerants in a single store and released no specifics on its implementation plans or anticipated milestones. EIA hopes to see companies such as ALDI and Walmart with leading HFC commitments develop and publicly share more detailed plans for meeting these targets including interim progress dates.

Of the sixteen companies evaluated, only three –ALDI, Target, and Whole Foods– received passing scores. Nine companies have increased their scores from 2022, but some of these improvements were incremental. Meanwhile, seven companies saw decreases in scores and one maintained its prior score. 

In comparing overall scores from 2022 and 2024, the ‘policy and commitments’ category has seen the largest increase. This category reflects company commitments to adopt ultra-low GWP refrigerants in store equipment, to decrease refrigerant emissions, and engagement with policy and industry stakeholders on the issue of HFCs and refrigeration. Twelve of the sixteen companies have a public commitment to reduce refrigerant emissions, however only eight have a time-bound goal for reducing HFCs.

There was a notable decrease in the category of refrigerant management across stores, which assesses public disclosure of company average leak rates and efforts to reduce refrigerant leaks. Meijer continues to lead this category by achieving a 6.5% annual leak rate showing that best practices for leak reduction can lead to drastic emission reductions below the EPA estimated 25% average for the sector as a whole.

Emissions from U.S. supermarket refrigerant leaks are estimated to equal 65 billion pounds of coal burned in a year. Addressing these leaks is crucial to curbing emissions, and several companies showed progress on efforts to reduce refrigerant leak rates, although only five of the companies disclose an annual average leak rate. 

The increasing goals and commitments by leading companies are encouraging, but are still falling far short of what is needed to stem the contribution of avoidable super pollutants to the climate crisis. EIA urges citizens, investors, and supermarket companies to call for and implement actions toward a complete phase-out of these gases globally.

 

Technology Adoption
70%

Refrigerant Management
40%

Policy & Commitments
86%

ALDI continues to be the market leader, scoring the highest overall due to its substantial adoption of ultra-low GWP refrigerants. This year, the company committed to using natural refrigerants in all new and existing stores by 2035, the first U.S. company in the sector to set this target. It uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems at 30% of stores, in all standalone equipment, and in all distribution centers. ALDI is an EPA GreenChill partner, reporting 707 Platinum store certifications. It reports a 20% leak rate on fluorinated refrigerant systems. ALDI could improve its score by reducing leaks and setting a leak reduction goal.

Percentage change from 2022 score: -5%

Technology Adoption
54%

Refrigerant Management
24%

Policy & Commitments
71%

Whole Foods has committed, as of 2025, all new stores will be built with ultra-low GWP, natural refrigerant systems. Between 4-7% of its existing stores use entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants, and another 4-7% utilize some level of ultra-low GWP refrigerants in combination with HFCs. It has retrofitted over 10% of its stores from high-to medium-GWP refrigerants. Over 50% of its standalone equipment uses ultra-low GWP. Whole Foods is an EPA GreenChill partner, but does not publicly disclose its annual average refrigerant leak rate. Publicly sharing its refrigerant leak rate and setting a time-bound commitment to phase out HFCs from all stores would further improve Whole Foods’ score.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +4%

Technology Adoption
34%

Refrigerant Management
64%

Policy & Commitments
57%

Target uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in 1.6% of its stores. The company stated it will scale CO2, an ultra-low GWP refrigerant, chain-wide by 2040. As of 2021, Target reports using “HFC-free refrigerants” in 57% of its standalone cases, and all food distribution centers. Target is an EPA GreenChill partner, and has a 13.7% average leak rate. Target’s score can be improved if it sets a refrigerant leak reduction target and accelerates the introduction of ultra-low GWP systems in all new builds and store remodels.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +6%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
23%

Refrigerant Management
88%

Policy & Commitments
57%

Meijer has one of the highest scores in refrigerant management, but it has no stores using ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems. It uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in all distribution centers and most standalone equipment. It reports retrofitting >10% of its stores from high- to medium-GWP refrigerants. Meijer is an EPA GreenChill partner and has an average leak rate of 6.5% with a reduction goal. Committing to ultra-low GWP systems in all new stores and remodels, and releasing a time-bound plan to transition all stores would improve Meijer’s score.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +2%

Technology Adoption
27%

Refrigerant Management
52%

Policy & Commitments
71%

Kroger uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of stores and most of its distribution centers. The company is an EPA GreenChill partner, however not all of its 23 banners are part of the program. It has a leak rate of 10.6% but does not publicly disclose its leak reduction goal. Kroger can improve its score by producing a time-bound, detailed plan to phase out HFCs from all existing locations and publish its leak rate reduction target.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +2%

Technology Adoption
27%

Refrigerant Management
48%

Policy & Commitments
57%

Publix uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of its stores, and an estimated 7% of stores use some ultra-low GWP refrigerants. Publix uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in some of its standalone equipment, and has committed its use in new and replacement self-contained cabinets. All of its distribution centers use ultra-low GWP refrigerants. It’s an EPA GreenChill partner, but does not publicly disclose its average refrigerant leak rate. Publix has implemented a training program for its contractors and technicians to properly service their CO2 equipment. Publix can improve by setting a time-bound commitment to phase out HFCs at all stores and publicly reporting its leak rate.

Percentage change from 2022 score: 0%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
28%

Refrigerant Management
12%

Policy & Commitments
43%

Costco uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in 3% of its stores. It has retrofitted 6% of stores to medium-GWP refrigerants. Most of Costco’s distribution centers use ultra-low GWP cooling. In 2022, Costco committed to “accelerate the phase-out of HFCs” and increase its investment in refrigeration retrofits to reduce refrigerant emissions by 30% by 2030, compared to its 2020 baseline. Greater transparency on its annual leak rate and setting a time-bound target to eliminate HFCs from all stores would improve its score.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +6%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
24%

Refrigerant Management
12%

Policy & Commitments
86%

Walmart has opened one ultra-low GWP store in the US and has committed to zero HFC emissions by 2040. It reports that 4-7% of stores use systems with some ultra-low GWP refrigerants. Walmart has engaged in policy advocacy for regulations on HFCs and has committed for all new construction to be ultra-low GWP where feasible. The company does not publicly disclose its average leak rate. Increasing its use of ultra-low GWP technologies across stores, joining EPA’s GreenChill Partnership, and publicly disclosing its annual leak rate would improve scores.

Percentage change from 2022 score: -2%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
15%

Refrigerant Management
52%

Policy & Commitments
57%

Ahold Delhaize, with 5 US brands, uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of stores and reports that it uses “lower GWP systems or where possible, natural refrigerants” in store remodels. Since the last scorecard, the company has set a target to reduce refrigerant emissions to net-zero by 2040. Only 3 brands are listed as EPA GreenChill partners and the company reports an annual average leak rate of 13%, but does not have a public target to reduce its average leak rate. Ahold Delhaize could improve by transitioning more stores to ultra-low GWP refrigerants.

Percentage change from 2022 score: -2%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
23%

Refrigerant Management
0%

Policy & Commitments
29%

Albertsons, with its 22 brands, uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of its stores and >50% of distribution centers. In recent years, it has retrofitted 28% of its stores from high GWP (>1400) to medium GWP (150 to 1400 GWP) refrigerants. The company does not report on its refrigerant management practices or leak rate and is not listed as an EPA GreenChill partner. Greater transparency on its average leak rate and setting a time-bound target to eliminate HFCs across stores would improve its score.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +5%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
27%

Refrigerant Management
0%

Policy & Commitments
0%

Trader Joe’s uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in 4% of its stores, however it does not publicly disclose information on its refrigerant emissions or management. Despite a 2016 EPA settlement following Trader Joe’s violation of the Clean Air Act by leaking ozone depleting substances, it does not publicly disclose its leak rate nor participate in EPA’s GreenChill Partnership. The company has a lot of room for improvement, starting with publishing an annual report of its climate impacts, reporting on its refrigerant used in standalone equipment and distribution centers, setting a time-bound plan to end its use of HFCs across all stores, and publicly disclosing its leak rate.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +11%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
18%

Refrigerant Management
12%

Policy & Commitments
43%

Giant Eagle uses some ultra-low GWP refrigerants in 1% of stores, but has no stores using entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants. It has retrofitted 4% of its stores from high- to medium-GWP refrigerants. Most of its distribution centers use ultra-low GWP refrigerants. Giant Eagle is an EPA GreenChill partner, but does not have all its banners under the program. It reports having stationary leak detection across locations, but does not publicly disclose its leak rate. Giant Eagle could improve by producing a time-bound, detailed plan for phasing out HFCs from all stores, and publicly reporting and setting a leak reduction target.

Percentage change from 2022 score: -2%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
12%

Refrigerant Management
14%

Policy & Commitments
1%

H-E-B has installed ultra-low GWP refrigerant systems in <1% of its stores, uses ultra-low GWP standalone equipment in just over 2% of stores and in 15 distribution centers. H-E-B is an EPA GreenChill partner, but does not publicly disclose its annual average refrigerant leak rate. There are no current publicly available commitments from the company on cutting its HFC emissions. H-E-B can improve its score by producing a time-bound, detailed plan for phasing out HFCs, publicly reporting its leak rate, and setting a leak reduction target.

Percentage change from 2022 score: -2%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
16%

Refrigerant Management
0%

Policy & Commitments
14%

Wegmans has one store using ultra-low GWP refrigerants, and 6% using some ultra-low GWP refrigerants. The company does not have a public target to end its use of HFCs, nor does it disclose its annual average refrigerant leak rate. Wegmans could improve its score by setting a time-bound public commitment to implement HFC-free technology throughout all stores and by joining EPA’s GreenChill Partnership.

Percentage change from 2022 score: +3%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
10%

Refrigerant Management
0%

Policy & Commitments
0%

Wakefern, with its 5 brands, uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of stores and uses some ultra-low GWP refrigerants in an additional <1% of locations. Wakefern does not disclose information on its refrigerant management or leak rate, nor transition goals for increasing HFC-free technology across its operations. The company could improve by releasing a time-bound commitment to phase out HFCs and by joining EPA’s GreenChill Partnership for improved refrigerant management.

Percentage change from 2022 score: -2%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Technology Adoption
0%

Refrigerant Management
0%

Policy & Commitments
14%

Southeastern Grocers with 4 banners has yet to take any detailed public steps to reduce HFC emissions, despite a 2019 EPA settlement for violating the Clean Air Act on refrigerant leaks. Although the company has stated its intent to reduce refrigerant emissions, it does not provide details on how it is achieving these reductions nor a time-bound target. The company has 0% of its stores using any ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems. SEG can improve its score by disclosing its leak rate and setting a time-bound commitment to transition to ultra-low GWP refrigerants in all stores

Percentage change from 2022 score: +1%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard information request and was scored on publicly available information, details here.

Call to Action

Given the significant global warming impact of HFCs, EIA is calling for all supermarkets to: 

  1. Develop a strategy to fully phase out all HFCs in stores by 2035, including an interim target to reduce HFC emissions by 50% by 2030.  

  2. Immediately use only HFC-free refrigeration in all new builds and major retrofits.

  3. Use only recycled and reclaimed refrigerants to service existing equipment that uses HFCs.

  4. Reduce corporate average refrigerant leak rate to EPA GreenChill best in class rate of <5% and publish progress towards this goal.

  5. Implement upgrades to leak monitoring and repair best practices, including a zero-leak tolerance policy which requires leaks to be repaired prior to adding more refrigerant.

  6. Make public commitments or goals to reduce HFC use and emissions and proactively engage with stakeholders in industry and policy settings.       

  7. Reduce the overall climate footprint of their cooling including through energy efficiency measures and easy-but-impactful steps like adding doors or night shades to open cases, upgrading to LED lighting, and reducing leaks.

  8. Enhance transparency by regularly publishing information quantifying current refrigerant emissions, all actions taken to adopt technology, reduce leaks, increase efficiency, as well as stating measurable future commitments to reduce use and emissions.

Parent Companies | Brands and Subsidiaries

Ahold Delhaize | Giant | Food Lion | Hannaford | Martin's | Stop and Shop | Albertsons | Albertsons | Albertsons Market | ACME | Amigos | Andronic’s Community Market | Carrs | Haggen | Jewel Osco | Lucky | Market Street | Pavilions | Plated. | Randalls | Safeway | Safeway Community Markets | Shaw’s | Star Market | Tom Thumb | United Express | United Supermarkets | Vons | Giant Eagle | Giant Eagle | Market District | H-E-B | H-E-B | H-E-B plus | Central Market | Mi Tienda | Joe V’s Smart Shop | Kroger | Kroger | Baker’s | City Market | Copps | Dillons | Food 4 Less | Foods Co | Fred Meyer | Fry’s | Gerbes | Harris Teeter | King Soopers | Jay C Food Store | Owens Market | Pay-Less Super Markets | QFC - Quality Food Center | Ralphs | Smith’s Food and Drug | Mariano's | Metro Market | Pick’n Save | Roundys | Ruler Foods | Publix | Publix | Greenwise Market | Southeastern Grocers (SEG) | Bi-Lo | Harveys Supermarket | Fresco y Mas | Winn Dixie | Wakefern | Shoprite | Price Rite Marketplace | The Fresh Grocer | Dearborn Market | Gourmet Garage
 
 

Want to do more?