18/04/2012

Global Wine Industry: Climate induced Challenges and Opportunities

In 2008 ClickTellConsulting was commissioned to carry out a preliminary study identifying climate induced challenges faced by the wine industry and, perhaps ironically, the consequential business opportunities that these challenges offered. We are now in a position to share with you some edited excerpts of the report.


Introduction:
“….Climate change is global in its causes and consequences. Although it is currently difficult to predict the consequences of climate change with complete certainty – we now know enough to understand the risks…”

“…This report begins by highlighting the main national and international initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, prior to discussing and analysing some of the implications for the wine industry. The research demonstrates that as far as Scope 2 emissions are concerned, on a like for like basis, there are significant country specific differences in the CO2 emissions resulting from the wine making process…”

The Impact Of Global Warming On Wine Making:
“…On the one hand the increase in temperatures have made it possible for a country like England to produce wine that the critic Jancis Robinson calls “ Far from a joke now”. On the other hand in the currently hot regions such as California and Australia climate change has not only made irrigation a taxing issue, but has also led to rising alcohol levels in wines. The 2007 drought in Australia resulted in a complete loss of the grape harvest in some areas…”

The Response Of The Wine Industry:
“…Over the past few years several national agencies including; The Wine Institute of California, New Zealand Winegrowers, Integrated Production of Wine South Africa and the Winemakers Federation of Australia have been working towards Greenhouse Gas Accounting…”

Country Specific Scope 2 Emissions:
“…In other words, in wine making on a like for like basis, as far as Scope 2 emissions are concerned; 1 bottle of wine produced in country X [name deliberately not shown] is likely to emit the same amount of CO2 as 9.6 bottles of wine produced in country Y [name deliberately not shown]….”