The Co-operative Group is set to become the first major retailer to install chiller doors in all of its stores as it looks to make further progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Grocer revealed in February that it was planning to attach energy- saving doors to its fridges in 2,000 convenience stores, but was not looking at doing the same in its larger supermarkets. Now the retailer has confirmed that it will introduce chiller doors in all 2,800 food stores.

So far, The Co-op Group has installed the doors in 60 stores resulting in an average reduction of carbon emissions from fridges of 40% - about 20% of each store’s total energy bill.

It is also looking to reduce energy emissions from its freezers by adding a new anti-misting coating to the door. This would allow it to remove the electrically-powered, door-frame heating systems that had previously stopped them from misting up.

“As a business, we are committed to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions, and, by making highly effective changes in our stores and other initiatives, we are delivering a major reduction in our carbon footprint across the food estate,” said The Co-operative food director of trading property David Roberts.

The retailer said the doors were one of a wide variety of initiatives designed to help it meet a revised target of reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2020. It said it had revised the target upwards, having hit its 40% goal this year, five years ahead of schedule.