The global food and beverage system is currently unsustainable. At COP28, the latest UN conference on climate change, leaders reaffirmed the critical need to build more sustainable and resilient food and agricultural systems in the face of climate change.
The wine industry, while a relatively small contributor to overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is deeply impacted by climate change. Conventional wine production is resource-intensive, impacting soil, water, and air while often perpetuating social and economic inequalities. According to the World Economic Forum, around 40% of wine’s carbon footprint comes from vineyard work alone.
Climate Change’s Impact on UK Wineries
During a recent trip to England, we observed some of these challenges firsthand. The UK has traditionally had a humid, temperate, maritime climate, with consistently cool temperatures, cloudy skies, and rainfall throughout the year. However, climate change is altering weather patterns globally, and the UK is no exception. In July 2022, the country saw record-breaking temperatures exceeding 40°C in regions like Lincolnshire, London, and Northamptonshire.
Viticulture climatologist Dr. Alistair Nesbitt forecasts that by 2040, temperatures in parts of England and Wales may rise by as much as 1.4°C during the growing season. This warming could make the climate more suitable for cultivating varieties like Pinot Noir, which is ideal for sparkling wine, along with other disease-resistant grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon.
At Camel Valley in Cornwall, winery staff noted a clear temperature increase over the past eight years. However, springtime rain and cooler temperatures have also heightened frost risks, impacting grape growth and quality.
Packaging Challenges and the Push for Lightweight Bottles
Given the prominence of sparkling wine production in England, bottle weight is a pressing concern both in terms of winemaking and packaging. The “Bottle Weight Accord” by the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) promotes using lighter bottles to reduce environmental impact. However, sparkling wine producers face unique challenges since lightweight bottles must still withstand the high pressure generated during secondary fermentation. Camel Valley, among others, is working toward more precise standards that balance environmental needs with production safety.
B-Corp Certification and Workforce Challenges
B-Corp wineries, like Rathfinny, face additional challenges around workforce involvement and motivation. B-Corp certification evaluates companies across five pillars: governance, workers, community, environment, and clients. Staff engagement is key to achieving impactful results across these categories, as B-Corp companies strive to create a positive impact on all stakeholders, especially their teams.
Technology and Data-Driven Solutions for Sustainable Wine Production
Technical and data-driven solutions are also essential for wineries focused on sustainability. At Balfour, for example, the search for holistic approaches to address global challenges often encounters obstacles due to the lack of integrated, real-time analytical tools. Many wineries currently rely on spreadsheets and single-focus systems that track specific metrics like carbon footprint but lack the capacity for comprehensive analysis across the value chain.
Data and technology-driven solutions are increasingly valuable in tackling climate change and meeting the social goals outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reliable, holistic methodologies are needed to understand these challenges better and to define and monitor relevant metrics, creating greater impact through transparency and accountability.
The Role of PI Concept in Driving Positive Change
This focus on sustainable transformation is precisely the motivation behind PI Concept (Positive Impact Concept). Itt provides data-driven technology solutions that help wine industry companies reimagine their business models and address environmental and social challenges through their products and services. PI Concept’s platform assists companies in assessing, measuring, and communicating the impact of their sustainability efforts reliably, avoiding the risk of greenwashing.
By launching products tailored specifically to the wine industry, PI Concept aims to support wineries in achieving meaningful sustainability. As the adage goes, "we can only control what we can measure." With effective measurement tools, companies can move from merely reducing harm to actively generating positive change.
Marta Juega, PhD.
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