New carbon footprint calculator for wine industry

An online calculator specifically designed to help Australian wineries measure their carbon footprint was launched in Adelaide today.

The Australian Wine Carbon Calculator builds on the international version that has been in use since early last year. It includes components specific to Australian needs, such as Government-endorsed emission factors.

The project is a joint initiative of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA), the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) and Winegrape Council of SA (WGCSA). It is available on the WFA website at www.wfa.org.au/environment.htm and the SAWIA website at www.winesa.asn.au.

“WFA was part of the international group that developed the initial calculator, which is designed to provide agreed protocols and methodologies around measuring carbon output,” said WFA’s Director, Natural Resources, Amy Russell.

“In this second phase we have made generic improvements that will be passed onto the international consortium for possible adoption as a new international version, while continuing to add components that are specific to Australia, allowing us to create a genuine Australian calculator.”

Ms Russell said the calculator was comprehensive, requiring even more data than was needed under the Government’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS).

Additions to the new version will provide companies with a summary of data needed to input into NGERS reporting tools and show the specific emissions factors used in calculations, to provide greater transparency. A new user guide has been created.

The new calculator will be an important part of the SA wine industry’s climate change sector agreement with the State Government, which centres on calculating the SA wine industry’s carbon footprint.

“Having a tool available that is consistent with Australian national standards is pivotal to the uptake and success of the Wine Industry Sector Agreement,” said Jodie Pain, SAWIA and WGCSA’s Project Manager for the Wine Industry Sector Agreement.