Inventory of environmental certifications throughout the world

Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin, France

Abstract

During the XXth century, intensive agricultural practices has been spread and allowed an important increase of productivity, especially thanks to scientific and technical innovations. Nevertheless, this change had consequences on biodiversity, quality of ecosystems and landscapes by a simplification of wine areas. In addition, sociocultural pressures toward agricultural practices had become stronger and stronger. In response, many mobilizations had begun to emerge, especially in the wine sector. For some years, we observed a real dynamic of the sector at the environmental level with the creation of many approaches which are promoting sustainable wine practices. These certifications are various and come up to consumers' wishes for products which are respectful of environment. They can be carried by productors associations, wine regions, cooperatives, wine companies or public authorities. We have inventoried in 22 countries a total of 54 environmental certifications among which 33 are dedicated to viticulture. We categorize them through: the scale (local, national, international), the area (vine, vine and wine, multi agricultural sector), the subjects treated (environment, economic, social) and the dynamic of the approach (voluntary, compulsory, individual or collective). This article informs and sensitizes the actors of wine sector to the diversity of environmental approaches in the world.