Bordeaux to reduce carbon footprint

The Bordeaux wine industry has announced it plans to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2050. According to a 6 month study called The Carbon Initiative, the industry produces 200,000 tonnes of carbon a year of which 45% is from materials such as glass and cork, 10% from the winemaking process and 18% on the transportation of the wine.

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.

Proposed strategies for the reduction include the use of lighter glass bottles, transporting wine by sea and using recyclable materials.