Greening Wine Exports? Changes in the Carbon Footprint of Spanish Wine Exports

Inmaculada Carrasco,Juan Sebastián Castillo-Valero,Marcos Carchano,Carmen Córcoles

doi:10.3390/ijerph18179035

Inmaculada Carrasco, Juan Sebastián Castillo-Valero + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179035

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Abstract

Spain is one of the leading wine-producing and -exporting countries and has traditionally been dominant in trade and world production in the sector. In an increasingly changing context, in which worldwide wine exports are growing exponentially, it is essential to study their impact on climate change as the transport of goods generates a significant volume of greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this work, then, was to analyse the variation in the carbon footprint generated by Spanish wine exports between 2011 and 2016. To this end, a multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model was used, showing that the emissions associated with wine operations have increased less than exports, which might suggest that sustainable growth has been included as a goal in the wine supply chain. The methodology used has the advantage of allowing the calculation of direct and indirect emissions. At the same time, the results can provide relevant information to practitioners and policymakers due to the expected evolution of European environmental regulations and trades, in terms of carbon footprint.

Highlights

IntroductionIts significance lies in the economic value it generates or the number of workers it employs, but it stands out for the key role it plays in conserving the environment (capturing CO2 and stabilising ecosystems), population settlement and local development, especially in regions where there are scant economic alternatives [5,6,7]
Wine production is a highly important activity in the global agriculture sector [1,2,3,4]from both an economic viewpoint and a social, cultural and environmental perspective.Its significance lies in the economic value it generates or the number of workers it employs, but it stands out for the key role it plays in conserving the environment, population settlement and local development, especially in regions where there are scant economic alternatives [5,6,7]
Despite the advances made in the fight against climate change in the wine sector, the growth in international trade over the last decade may tarnish these results, as the escalation of these types of operations has a negative impact on the environment, especially in this sector [16,17], which, in turn, incurs cost and externalities that are transferred to society [19]

Summary

Introduction

Its significance lies in the economic value it generates or the number of workers it employs, but it stands out for the key role it plays in conserving the environment (capturing CO2 and stabilising ecosystems), population settlement and local development, especially in regions where there are scant economic alternatives [5,6,7] This sector contributes to integrated territorial development, which is characterised by economic growth, inclusive governance, social cohesion and environmental sustainability [8]. Spain enjoys a privileged position in the international wine economy, but the Spanish wine sector is facing a difficult challenge due to the imbalance between supply and demand generated by the fall in internal demand over recent decades. A growing share of the annual production is sold in the international market [11], where the main competitors are, on the one hand, France and

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