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Grape Wine Cultivation Carbon Footprint: Embracing a Life Cycle Approach across Climatic Zones

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  • Yuval Tamar Hefler

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel)

  • Meidad Kissinger

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel)

Abstract

Ongoing climate change processes and increasing environmental pressure suggest the need to adjust the wine production systems worldwide to the new conditions while reducing their environmental pressure. The grapes’ cultivation phase may be influenced by expected changes. It follows that existing grape wine cultivation systems should be analyzed to identify major ‘hotspots’ and opportunities for change. Several studies have analyzed materials, energy inputs, and related emissions along the grape wine life cycle. However, most research focuses on traditional grape wine growing areas, and no study has yet focused on grape wine grown in unconventional desert areas. The research presented in this paper analyzed the carbon footprint (CF) of grapes grown in the Mediterranean, semi-arid, and arid climatic regions in the state of Israel. It revealed that, on average, a ton of grapes generates 342 kg CO 2 eq from the cradle to the farm gate. The product was analyzed using a life-cycle approach, with the aim of studying the CF of each phase according. Most emissions were found to be related to the use of fertilizers (37%), fuel for transportation and mechanization (19%), and water supply (17%). The CF of grapes in the arid region was found to be the highest at 361 kg CO 2 eq compared to 317 kg CO 2 eq in the semi-arid region and 346 kg CO 2 eq in the Mediterranean region. The analysis emphasizes the arid and semi-arid potential to reduce its CF by implementing farm management practices, including the choice of grape varieties, changing vineyard infrastructure, fertilizers, water management, and more. As presented here, understanding cropping systems in these regions can promote a better adaptation of the cropping systems to the changing conditions around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuval Tamar Hefler & Meidad Kissinger, 2023. "Grape Wine Cultivation Carbon Footprint: Embracing a Life Cycle Approach across Climatic Zones," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:303-:d:1047940
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paola Masotti & Andrea Zattera & Mario Malagoli & Paolo Bogoni, 2022. "Environmental Impacts of Organic and Biodynamic Wine Produced in Northeast Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Carmen Ferrara & Giovanni De Feo, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment Application to the Wine Sector: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Alfonso Aranda & Ignacio Zabalza & Sabina Scarpellini, 2005. "Economic and environmental analysis of the wine bottle production in Spain by means of life cycle assessment," International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(2), pages 178-191.
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    2. Mariana Guerra & Fátima Ferreira & Ana Alexandra Oliveira & Teresa Pinto & Carlos A. Teixeira, 2024. "Drivers of Environmental Sustainability in the Wine Industry: A Life Cycle Assessment Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Zhongxia Yu & Mingcong Zhang & Yingce Zhan & Yongxia Guo & Yuxian Zhang & Xiaoyan Liang & Chen Wang & Yuxin Fan & Mingfen Shan & Haiqing Guo & Wei Zhou, 2025. "Analysis of Temporal and Spatial Evolution Characteristics and Peak Prediction of Carbon Emissions in China Under the Dual-Carbon Target: A Case Study of Heilongjiang Province," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, May.

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