Background:

The agricultural sector causes approximately 10-12% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and thus contributes substantially to climate change. Despite its small share of the total agricultural land in Germany, the wine sector also has an important share in the climate impact of agriculture. At the same time, viticulture, like the entire agricultural sector, is increasingly suffering from the consequences of climate change. In particular, increasing extreme weather events are causing more and more problems for viticulture. Reducing GHG emissions in viticulture is thus in the farmers' own interest; what they urgently lack, however, is reliable information and decision support regarding effective GHG mitigation potentials and corresponding carbon sequestration potentials.

Objectives:

Therefore, the CaberNET project aims at assessing the CO₂ footprint of wine production by means of life cycle assessment in different growing regions in Germany in order to develop additional climate change mitigation potentials in viticulture. The CO₂ footprint describes the sum of GHG emissions in CO₂ equivalents per liter or bottle of wine. By quantifying the GHG sources and the comparative evaluation of different origins, grape varieties, qualities and cultivation methods (organic & conventional), possible levers for the effective use of climate protection potentials are identified and evaluated. The knowledge gained on suitable climate protection measures in viticulture and corresponding recommendations for action will be transferred to agricultural practice via specialist events and publications.