Institut für Rebenzüchtung
Agriculture is responsible for 10-12% of the global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and has a substantial influence on climate change. Despite its small acreage, viticulture plays an important role in the influence of agriculture on the climate. Additionally, viticulture, as well as agriculture in general, is suffering under the effects of climate change. Especially extreme weather conditions are occurring more often and are challenging wine makers. Therefore, the reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions in viticulture is a self-interest of wine growers. However, they lack relieable information and decision making support concerning the potential for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration. Additional uncertainty concerning evaluation criteria of the effect of regional, European or overseas wine on the climate exists. Thus, CaberNET aims to evaluate the CO2 footprint of wine production in different wine growing regions in Germany by the means of life cycle analysis in order to open up new ways of climate change mitigation in viticulture. The CO2 footprint describes the sum of greenhouse gas emission in CO2 equivalents per liter or bottle of wine. By quantification of greenhouse gas sources and comparable analysis of wines of different origin, varieties, qualities and management forms possible changes for the effective usage of climate change mitigation potentials will be identified and evaluated.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
