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Viña Concha y Toro brings forward net zero goal by 10 years

05 December 2023 By James Evison

Viña Concha y Toro has announced at COP28 plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 instead of 2050 due to its recent work on the issue.

Carmenere grapes in Concha y Toro’s Peumo vineyard in the Cachapoal Valley, Chile.

The news follows a commitment by the producer in 2019 to a Science Based Target initiative to reduce its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 55% by 2030, and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Now, due to the progress it has made, it is cutting the net-zero target to 2040, in an official announcement at the COP28 Chilean pavilion.

The goal will be incorporated into its sustainability strategy, Uncork a Better Future, which is an SBTi aligned decarbonisation programme necessary to avoid global warming above 1.5°C. In addition, the company has also signed up to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero, which was born out of COP25.

In the previous five years to 2022, the firm has reduced its emissions by 35% with data for 2023 available next year. As a result of the findings, the company’s carbon footprint is 53% lower than the global industry average, it claims.

The management to reduce emissions started several years ago with a focus on the company’s own emissions as well as those of its suppliers, with the usage of 100% renewable energy being an important core principle. It has also worked with its main suppliers to reduce indirect emissions, addressing issues such as packaging or bottle weight.

Valentina Lira, Viña Concha y Toro’s Sustainability Manager, said: “This performance allowed us to visualize that we can make a greater contribution to climate change mitigation.

“After 5 years of progress with SBTi, we thought it was a good time to renew our commitment to reduce our emissions, with the aim of contributing to a more sustainable future. This anticipation of the goal is fully aligned with the company’s strategy. As a B
Company, our charter incorporates the goal of generating positive and regenerative impacts for our society and our planet.”