Carbon world first for Aussie winery

“One of Australia’s leading family-owned wineries is the world’s first to comply with international guidelines for assessing carbon emission,” says environmental consultancy, Provisor.

Taylors Wines has announced its Taylors Eighty Acres range of wines is 100% carbon neutral based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model compliant to ISO14044.

To achieve compliance, Taylors Wines has implemented controls that accurately measure the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions at every step in the lifecycle of the Taylors Eighty Acres range of wines.

The company worked with Provisor, a consultancy specialising in the Wine, Food and Beverage industries to develop a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model compliant with ISO 14044.

The assessment begins in the vineyard before harvesting and ultimately ends with the consumption, disposal and recycling of the finished packaging – a complete cradle to the grave approach.

As part of the thorough Life Cycle Assessment approach, Taylors has accounted for all emissions created during the wine’s journey to the final consumer in New Zealand.

“In calculating the transport component of Eighty Acres Carbon Footprint, Taylors wanted to be extra sure they weren’t missing any emissions,” says Karl Forsyth from Provisor. “In doing so, we have based our calculations on the longest feasible journey the product could take to reach the consumer.”

The New Zealand Commerce Commission’s Guidelines for Carbon Claims states that business should “Be specific – a clear statement about which elements of the product lifecycle or your business activities have been offset (to) avoid consumer confusion.”

“By using a peer reviewed ISO 14044 compliant assessment, Taylors has ensured all aspects of the product’s life cycle have been included. The final analysis was independently audited and approved by RMIT University, of Melbourne Australia,” Mr Forsyth says.

Organisations making carbon claims may fail to calculate carbon dioxide equivalent emissions relating to the entire product lifecycle if they do not use an ISO14044 compliant assessment technique, he says.

Based on an extensive review of carbon claims world-wide, Provisor established Taylors Wines was the first winery in the world to produce, market and sell a range of 100% Carbon Neutral wines following the requirements of the International Standard for Life Cycle Assessment ISO 14044.

The LCA approach enabled Taylors to define an accurate total carbon footprint and subsequently work to minimise emissions prior to off-setting the balance.

To assist with the reduction of emissions, Taylors has moved the Eighty Acres range into O-I’s new Lean + Green™ lightweight bottles. The glass is almost 40% lighter than that used in the original bottle used and delivers a reduction in CO2e per bottle of more than 15%[1].

Taylors selected Carbon Neutral, www.carbonneutral.com.au, a not-for-profit organisation which provides carbon offsets including Verified Emission Reduction Units (VERs), to offset the sum of carbon emissions.

Mitchell Taylor, CEO of Taylors Wines is excited by the achievement but recognises there are more initiatives it can undertake on the road to environmental sustainability.

“As a family owned winey we are committed to reducing our impact upon the environment. Our direct link with the land, along with the long-term view we hold for our business, means we acknowledge the responsibility we have in protecting our environment both for the present and future generations.

“The LCA Model is instrumental in helping us fulfil this commitment by providing an accurate picture of our total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.”

100% Carbon Neutral status applies to all Taylors Eighty wines bearing the Taylors 100% Carbon Neutral Leaf trademark on bottle and carton.

Taylors Eighty Acres includes Chardonnay Viognier, Shiraz Viognier and Cabernet Shiraz Merlot.

Taylors Eighty Acres includes:
· Taylors Eighty Acres Chardonnay Viognier RRP $18.99
· Taylors Eighty Acres Shiraz Viognier RRP $18.99
· Taylors Eighty Acres Cabernet Shiraz Merlot RRP $18.99