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Sustainability Initiatives in the Global Wine Industry. Ann Thrupp, Fetzer and CSWA With information from Karen Ross, CA Association of Winegrape Growers. Sustainability : A broad concept, often viewed as a goal Sometimes called the “Triple Bottom Line”. Sustainability.
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Sustainability Initiatives in the Global Wine Industry Ann Thrupp, Fetzer and CSWA With information from Karen Ross, CA Association of Winegrape Growers
Sustainability : A broad concept, often viewed as a goalSometimes called the “Triple Bottom Line” Sustainability Economically Viable Socially Responsible Environmentally sound Ensuring viability over time…benefiting current & future generations
Concepts of Sustainable & Organic Agriculture Some people perceive these concepts on a linear continuum… Conventional IPM Biointensive IPM Organic Biodynamic UNSUSTAINABLE S U S T A I N A B L E ORGANIC & BEYOND However, this linear perspective is somewhat narrow. An alternative view reveals more complexity …
The Sustainability Concept Relationships between Organic & Sustainable Agriculture & Other Concepts Sustainable Agriculture Organic Biodynamic “Sustainable” winegrowing is a much broader concept, which includes many dimensions (to be explained) Integrated Pest/CropManagement
Interest in Sustainability: Growing Global Trend • Global & local challenges: Environmental degradation, climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, health threats, population growth, urbanization, etc. • Growing involvement in sustainable development & sustainable agriculture among governments • Growing investment in sustainable business and in manufacturing, food/ag, service, energy, transport, and other sectors; many involved in certification and labeling
MANY FAMILIAR BRANDS & COMPANIES GOING “GREEN”…. - Pioneers like Ben & Jerry’s, Body Shop, Interface, etc. - Multinat’l corporations also jumping on the green bandwagon… such as Starbucks, Dole, Nestle, Unilever, Walmart, MacDonalds, Toyota, Ford, Hitachi, GM, BP, etc…
Why? Multiple Forces Behind Change SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES & ROLE OF NGOs CONSUMERS SUSTAINABILITY INCREASING IN IMPORTANCE COMPETITION GOVERNMENTS INVESTORS & ANALYSTS EMPLOYEES
Sustainability Initiatives In the International Wine Industry • Australia’s “Sustaining Success” Strategy • New Zealand Winegrowing Program • South Africa’s Integrated Production of Wine System (IPW) • European Programs on Sustainability • U.S. Initiatives – Especially the CA Sustainable Winegrowing Program • FIVS (international wine industry trade association) also recognizes sustainability principles
Australia’s“Sustaining Success” Strategy • Cooperative Research Centre of Viticulture (CRCV) • R&D Organization established in 1992 • Programs include: • Sustainable Vineyard Systems • An Education Program • Viticare Program for Extension & Research • Drafting chapters on soil, pest, and water management best practices
Australia’s“Sustaining Success” Strategy • Environmental Management System (EMS) Program includes: • Water Use Management • Chemical & Pesticide Management • Soil & Fertilizer Management • Equipment, Vehicle & Machinery • Waste Management • Vineyard Establishment • Biodiversity • Gov’t funding to support research on sustainable viticulture practices ($4.5 M)
New Zealand Winegrowing Program • In 1995-1996, a working group of growers and industry representatives developed a pilot “Integrated Winegrowing Program” • Began with 5 vineyards • In 1997, after receiving a $150,000 & additional support, program grew to include 120 vineyards • In 2003, more than 300 members representing 60% of the vineyard acreage
New Zealand Winegrowing Program“Integrated Winegrowing Program” • Positive Points System for vineyards & wineries • Self Audit Scorecard – reports for participants • 77 Questions • Negative Impact or Unsustainable Scores 0 to -10 Points • Sustainable Practice Scores 10 Points • Improvement over current practice Scores +10 to +20
South Africa’s Integrated Production of Wine System • IPW Programs for both grapes and wine (multiple practices for vineyards and winery operations) • Certification Program & training program • Points System • 99% of South Africa’s wine production participates in the program South Africa also has a strong program to promote biodiversity in vineyards
European Programs on Sustainability Many Regional Programs – examples include: • European Integrated Production (IP) Standards • Viticulture Raisone’e in Champagne Goals include: • Participation of 15,000 farmers in region • Reduction in use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides & fungicides by 50%
Sustainable Winegrowing Initiatives in California • Strong Initiatives in the Winegrape industry to promote & expand sustainable practices • Regional: CCVT, LWWC, SCGGA, NSWG, etc. • State: Code of Sustainable Practices • Initiated by CAWG, WI, CSWA, collaborating regional groups, wineries and vineyards • Self-evaluation and education aimed to encourage adoption of a wide diversity of sustainable practices • Results: high level of participation in the SWP, increasing adoption of sustainable practices
Centerpiece of the SWP – The Workbook ** Release of – Second Edition of the “Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices” **
Viticulture Soil Management Vineyard Water Management Pest Management Wine Quality Ecosystem Management Energy Efficiency Winery Water Conser-vation & Quality Material Handling Solid Waste Reduction Environmentally preferred purchasing Human Resources Neighbors & Community Air Qualityadded in ‘06 Practices Included in the “Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices” for Vineyards & Wineries From Ground to Glass”–Total of 227 criteria
Self-Assessment workshops Self Assess Customized Reports SWP Cycle of Continuous Improvement Implement Change Interpret Performance Targeted Education Workshops Action Plan Develop Action Plan to Improve
Growing Participation in SWP Self-Assessment • 1,165 wineries & vineyards have attended close to 100 SWP self-assessment workshops from 2002 to now. • These participants represent: • 33% of total CA vineyard area (over 171,000 acres) • 53% of case value of CA wine (143.8 million cases) These numbers demonstrate, since 2004: • 24% increase in the number of participants • 23% increase in vineyard acreage • 19% increase in wine case production
Targeted Education Workshops • Since 2004, SWP has held 88 educational events that target areas in need of improvement • These workshops have reached over 5,000 growers and vintners • They cover many sustainable practices, e.g: • Integrated Pest Management • Air and Water Quality • Ecosystem Management, and • Energy Efficiency
Interest in California SWP from other Winegrape Associations • Washington State Association of Winegrape Growers • Oregon Wine Advisory Board • New York Wine & Grape Foundation • Penn State Cooperation Extension • Canadian Vintners Association • Wine Council of Ontario
Certification & Ecolabel Initiatives for “Sustainable” Winegrowing • Organic and Biodynamic –3rd party certification • Salmon Safe – 3rd party certification of BMPs & environmental practices, and has label (mainly in Oregon) • Oregon LIVE – sets standards; collaboration with Salmon Safe • The Food Alliance – has vineyard standards, not on wine labels • Napa Green – certification of BMPs for vineyards, but no label • Sonoma Green Business- sets standards; 51 wineries certified • Fish-Friendly Farming program (no label)
New Certification Initiatives(related to winegrowing) • CA Winegrowers Regions have become involved in developing ecolabel or certification initiatives • LWWC (“Lodi Rules”), CCVT • Individual wineries: eg, Gallo of Sonoma Sustainable Management Systems “Certification” (WPS, ISO-14001); Benziger developing standards for its growers; others considering ideas too? • Protected Harvest:Working with CA commodities and growers to certify, label and market produce grown according to sustainable ag standards
Lessons Learned: What makes the SWP unique and effective? (Key Elements) • Active participation of growers & vintners, and many stakeholders, in all parts of the program. • Comprehensive in scope: The SWP addresses three interlinked environmental, economic and equity goals; using a systems approach: • Building bridges – between environmental and agricultural interests –win-win solutions. • Innovative measurement system- transparent reporting of the results to the public. • Marketing advantage. • Setting a good example, serving as a model globally for socially responsible wine production
THANK YOU!Contact Information Ann Thrupp, Manager of Sustainability, Fetzer Vineyards & consultant, CA Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance tel 707-272-1152, www.sustainablewinegrowing.org And Karen Ross, CA Association of Winegrape Growers www.cawg.org