ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS IN GROCERY STORE MARKET IN CANADA

Abstract

There is growing pressure to limit Global Warming Potential (GWP) as it is the most significant
way to reduce serious threats to people. The increase of average temperature in the atmosphere causes adverse
effects on the environment, and this is changing the way business operates. Together with undergoing changes to
be more environmentally friendly, the majority of business sectors has been launching many projects to reduce
environmental impacts. Similar to grocery sector in Canada, many companies have been reported to investigate
the environmental performance. Loblaw Companies Limited, the largest food distributors in Canada, has put
more concerns on environmental impacts and worked diligently to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
through actions such as improving energy efficiency reducing refrigerant leaks, and incorporating renewable
energy sources. This study analyzed Loblaw’s energy efficiency and environmental performance and provided
suggestions in the applications of skylight improvement, geothermal, refrigeration systems, kinetic energy to
electricity, and e-grocery shopping. The results showed that the environmental concerns were substantially
decreased. However, types of lights and refrigerators, distance driven, vehicle types, fuel used in e-grocery
shopping results in the different amount of emissions; consequently, the GHG emissions varied depending on
these factors. By integrating more environmentally technology, Loblaw could further reduce their emissions and
waste and become a more sustainable company.