Climate change & sustainability of the vine and wine sector

On July 1st, 2024 Equalitas President Riccardo Ricci Curbastro will take part in the conference “CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY OF VINE AND WINE SECTOR” organised by the Greek Wine Federation to talk about the SOPD Equalitas Standard as a growing certification standard recognised and applicable internationally.The Greek Wine Federation is a non-profit organization that was created in 1949 and represents the interests of the wine industry in Greece and abroad. Its members represent more than 70% of bottled wine production including the 6 winemaking regions of Greece and more than 90% of the exports of Greek wine.

The conference will take place in Heraklion with the attendance of important international representatives of the vine and wine sector. The purpose of the 2^nd Conference is to continue the discussion of the consequences of climate change, and possible strategies to combat them that were initially discussed at the 1st conference in 2023. In addition, specific issues, such as certifications and the carbon footprint will be examined, with particular reference to Cretan viticulture, and its sustainability.

• 09.15 Conclusions of 1st Conference on Influences of Climate Change in the Vine & Wine Sector, organized by the Greek Wine Federation June 2023 – Dr Stefanos Koundouras, Professor, Viticulture Department of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

• 09.30 “Sustainability in the wine sector: cacophony or melody in the EU”– Dr Ignacio Sanchez Recarte General Secretary CEEV – Comité Européen des Enterprises Vins;
• 10.00 Short and long-term consequences of climate change in the wine sector: Conclusions from the International conferences “Taste Climate Change” –  Michelle Bouffard, Journalist, Founder ‘Taste Climate Change’.
• 10.30 “Advancing Vineyard Carbon Knowledge: Carbon Space’s Direct Measurement Approach” –  Emma Fourdan, Team leader “Carbon Space” Europe, Middle East, Africa;
• 11.15 “The Equalitas Standard  for the environmental,  economic and  social  certification of the Wine Supply Chain” – Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, President Equalitas;
• 11.45 The experience of “Kir Yianni” on the road to sustainable development. Vision – Investment – Innovation – Stellios Boutaris,  Winemaker & CEO of Kir Yianni;
• 12.15 Sustainable viticulture adapted to the place, it’s climate and it’s people – Round Table Discussion: Dr. Yannis Voyatzis, Dr. Theodore Georgopoulos, Dr. Stefanos Koundouras, Dr. Dimitris Taskos;
• 13.00 The perceptions of the Cretan wine community on climate change. Results of questionnaire responses –  Dr Dimitris Taskos Researcher Institute of Olives, Subtropical Plants and Vine, Department of Vine;
• 13:10 Sustainable viticulture in Crete, findings, concerns, suggestions –  Round table discussion: Zacharias Diamantakis winemaker, Dimitris Tsoupeis, Agronomist Viticulture, Nikos Somarakis, Agronomist Viticulture
• 14.00  Discussion – Conclusions – Recommendations