Denholm Good Logistics has joined the Move to -15°C Coalition, a pioneering international collaboration aiming to reduce carbon emissions by changing how frozen food is stored and transported.
A Small Change with Massive Impact
Since 1930, the global standard for frozen food storage has been -18°C — a temperature benchmark set almost a century ago. But now, new scientific research led by the International Institute of Refrigeration, University of Birmingham, and London South Bank University, shows that increasing this temperature by just three degrees to -15°C can yield enormous benefits:
- 17.7 million metric tonnes of CO₂ saved annually — equivalent to taking 3.8 million cars off the road.
- 25 terawatt-hours of energy saved per year — similar to the annual consumption of nearly 9 million UK homes.
- Lower energy and supply chain costs, with no compromise to food safety, quality, or shelf life.
These findings have sparked the launch of the Move to -15°C Coalition, a growing global alliance of industry players committed to accelerating this change. Denholm Good Logistics is proud to be one of the first supporters of this vital campaign.
Why This Matters
Raising the frozen food temperature standard to -15°C is a science-backed, low-cost, high-impact step toward climate action. Cold chains — the refrigeration-dependent supply chains for food, medicine, and other essentials — are critical infrastructure for society, but also energy-intensive.
As Professor Toby Peters of the University of Birmingham notes:
“Cold chains are vital for safe and nutritious food, healthcare, and economic growth. But they also have real climate implications. This initiative tackles both head-on.”
Denholm’s Role in a Greener Future
As a leading provider of global shipping and logistics services, we’re proud to use our expertise and drive for innovation to help the industry cut emissions and energy use while building smarter, more resilient supply chains. Our commitment is now further strengthened by joining the Move to -15°C initiative, uniting with others to push the boundaries of sustainable logistics.
Adam Mohammed, Head of Sustainability at Denholm Good Logistics, added:
“This is a practical, evidence-led opportunity to make meaningful progress on decarbonisation across global supply chains. We’re proud to stand alongside leading partners in rethinking how we manage frozen food – not just for efficiency, but for the planet.”
Cold Chains, Climate, and the Future
The initiative offers wide-ranging benefits — not just for carbon reduction, but also for reducing food waste, making supply chains more resilient, and supporting global food security.
Thomas Eskesen, Chairman of the Move to -15°C Coalition, said:
“By redefining temperature set points, we stand to make a significant impact in the decarbonisation of global supply chains. But no one company can do this alone. To set us up for success, our focus remains on scaling our membership base and we encourage key players within the frozen food supply chain to reach out and get involved.”
The campaign invites cold chain businesses, regulators, retailers, manufacturers, and logistics providers to unite around this goal — a rare win-win for climate, industry, and consumers alike.
For more information on the Move to -15°C initiative and how to get involved, visit www.movetominus15.com.