Bordeaux: we’ll cut emissions by 75%

The Bordeaux wine industry has announced it aims to reduce carbon emissions by 75% by 2050.

The Carbon Initiative, a six-month study, has found the industry produces 200,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

Of this, 45% came from production of materials such as glass and cork,12% through moving personnel around,10% on vinification processes, and 18% on transportation of wines.

Particularly significant emissions came from glass, at 42,500 tonnes per year, and overland transportation of wines, with 24,100 tonnes per year.

Sales trips undertaken by chateaux and negociants, and the 550,000 annual wine tourists create 23,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Alain Vironneau, president of the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (CIVB), said last week, ‘We intend to bring these figures down by 30,000 tonnes within five years, and to have an overall reduction of 75% by 2050.’

Some of the suggested strategies for this reduction include the use of lighter glass bottles, the reintroduction of sea transport for wines, the use of recyclable materials and energy-efficiency strategies and a more considered use of sales trips.

Sylvie Cazes, president of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, told decanter.com, ‘It is just as key right now to reduce use of energy and water as it is to think about ecological practices in the vineyard. This study is a very useful tool for the whole of our industry.’

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Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux