Drivers of Environmental Sustainability in the Wine Industry: A Life Cycle Assessment Approach

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing literature to identify the most relevant environmental variables and other factors influencing the life cycle assessment of the wine industry. This research seeks to determine whether the type of wine significantly impacts the carbon footprint and to highlight the importance of production strategies over wine typology or grape variety in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This review encompasses an extensive analysis of previous studies on the environmental impact of wine production. This method involves synthesizing findings from life cycle inventory assessments to identify key variables contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis also considers regional variations and the effectiveness of different production strategies in mitigating environmental impacts. This review indicates that wine typology (red or white) and grape variety are less significant in determining the carbon footprint than the production strategies employed. It identifies specific variables that contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions in wine production. The analysis highlights the need for standardized assessment methods to ensure accurate determination of influential factors in reducing emissions. This study concludes that achieving environmental sustainability in the wine industry requires a balanced approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social aspects. It emphasizes the necessity of developing standardized and universal strategies for assessing wine sustainability. The application of artificial intelligence is proposed as a crucial tool for improving data gathering, trend analysis, and formulating customized sustainability strategies for different wine regions. Addressing the challenges of sustainability in the wine industry is imperative for environmental preservation and the wellbeing of future generations.