Sustainability news from the Wine Society
The Wine Society has issued its first ‘Sustainability Newsletter’, highlighting trends for 2024, ethical vines, alternative packaging trials, and more.
At the end of 2023, the Wine Society was named Green Retailer of the Year and Green Company of the Year at the Drinks Business Green Awards. Sustainability at the Society focuses on five key aspects: climate, environment, sourcing, people, and action. Read more about the Society’s sustainability strategy here.
Alternative packaging
In 2024, the Society will see a particular focus on lower-carbon packaging options for its members. Following an alternative packaging trial which was conducted last year, the Society has provided an update following member feedback. The original objectives of the trial were to determine: whether wine quality can be maintained in alternative formats, at the same price; the perceptions around the quality of wine sold in alternative packaging; member sentiments on the importance of sustainable packaging; whether the Society could make use of the opportunities provided by the formats to produce exciting and
engaging packaging; and whether it was possible to expand and scale the Society’s portfolio of alternative packaging formats to glass. To read the review on the trial results, see here.
2024 trends
The Society has published an article on expected sustainability trends in 2024 for the wine industry in general. In the top 5, article author Anne Jones listed: climate adaption; regenerative viticulture; regulations, certifications and reporting; collaboration; and alternative packaging. On regulations, certifications and reporting, Jones said:
“In 2024 mandatory business climate reporting will be introduced. This sets the scene for a step-change in transparency. Up until now it has been difficult to check companies’ green claims and to avoid ‘greenwashing’ (or ‘greenhushing’, where businesses can’t articulate their sustainability credentials). So while data and reporting may sound tedious, or even ominous, there are real positives in helping the industry formulate its climate response. With such an increase in comparable information there are three main implications:
- The ability to have more regulation (and to incentivise or discourage certain activities)
- An increase in the number of sustainability certifications
- Investors being encouraged to finance ‘green’ schemes – encouraging financial investment in biodiversity, carbon mitigation and innovation
For wineries and vineyards this means that there may be incentives to farm regeneratively, or to calculate their carbon ‘credit’ and balance it against the carbon ‘cost’ of glass and distribution. It’s not just about carbon though. We are seeing increased rigour and momentum about recycling and waste disposal too (globally and locally) — not a moment too soon. This is also the year that will shine a spotlight on labour regulations and human rights as part of the broader ‘sustainability’ spectrum. We have seen awful abuses of migrant and seasonal worker populations and I’m hopeful that 2024 will bring tighter controls and greater transparency to ensure that these are removed from the wine industry.”
Ethical vines
The newsletter also contained an article on ethical vines. Sustainability writer Nellie de Goguel investigates how buyers and producers can maintain fair prices in the face of rising costs and alcohol duty, while still protecting the workers behind the wine. Read more here.
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