Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) has released its latest impact report, revealing a remarkable uptick in environmental sustainability efforts within the wine industry.
According to the report, a record number of wineries obtained certification for sustainability during the 2023 reporting period. This surge sees certified wineries now constituting half of all SWA members, a significant increase from the 16 per cent reported in 2020. Notably, as of vintage 2023, the SWA certification mark adorns the equivalent of 96.1 million bottles of wine, a figure expected to rise further in vintage 2024.
SWA certification empowers wineries to showcase their commitment to industry best practices for sustainability, verified through independent third-party audits.
Dr Mardi Longbottom, General Manager of Industry Development and Support at The Australian Wine Research Institute, lauds the growing emphasis on sustainability in the wine sector, noting the positive momentum despite industry challenges. She emphasizes the role of retailers and hospitality venues globally, which increasingly prioritize sustainability credentials in their wine selections.
Consumer demand for sustainable products is on the rise, with a Kantar report indicating that 64 per cent of consumers believe companies have a responsibility to address climate and environmental issues. Authenticity is key, as consumers seek verification of businesses’ sustainability claims. Official certification holds particular weight, with over half of regular wine drinkers expressing trust solely in wines with official sustainability certification, as per the IWSR.
Hill-Smith Family Estates achieved full SWA certification across its operations in vintage 2023. Louisa Rose, Head of Sustainability, highlights the certification’s strategic advantages in both domestic and international markets, noting the increasing preference among buyers for sustainably certified wines.
SWA-certified wineries undergo recertification every three years, encouraging ongoing improvement in sustainable practices. The 2023 Impact Report underscores progress made across the industry since the last report in 2020.
Efforts to reduce waste and enhance recycling have intensified, with wineries and vineyards implementing innovative initiatives to minimize landfill waste. Notably, all member establishments now measure, monitor, and report waste generation, recycling, and reuse activities.
Energy efficiency and clean energy adoption have significantly improved, with over half of wineries and vineyards achieving industry best practice. Water management practices have also seen enhancement, with nearly half of wineries and over half of vineyards reaching industry benchmarks.
Biodiversity conservation and soil management are emerging priorities, with efforts to protect native plants and enhance soil health on the rise. SWA remains committed to supporting member wineries in advancing sustainable practices and aims to contribute to the sector’s goal of 42 per cent emissions reduction by 2030.
