There is now overwhelming scientific evidence of climate change. Many of our growers tell us that over the past 20 years, the weather has become consistently more unpredictable and extreme, and that this is accelerating. Growers need a stable climate for quality grape production, and extreme changes in climatic conditions can significantly affect the wine sector’s production, quality, and profitability. We need to do what we can to reduce our contribution to climate change as well as help them adapt, so they can continue to thrive and make great wine for our members for many years to come.
Our emissions
In 2021, we did a full calculation of our carbon emissions. Our total carbon footprint was 16,488 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) which equates to driving a medium- sized petrol car 150 million miles or powering 6,300 average UK homes for one year. Our emissions fall into three categories, or ‘Scopes’, covering things we own, the electricity we buy, and emissions from across our supply chain.
Production and disposal of glass bottles accounted for 31% of our footprint, followed by grape-growing and winemaking (17%) and transporting wine to our Stevenage HQ (15%). Other packaging contributed 11%, goods and services to run our business (9%), transporting wine from Stevenage to members' doors (6%), operations, such as electricity, gas and waste (6%) and 5% was printed materials we send to members.*
Our targets
The Society’s sustainability plan includes several key targets. We are aiming to be net zero across our business and supply chain by 2040, with key milestones along the way:
- Equivalent of carbon neutral in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024** (in progress)
- 100%*** reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2028 (in progress – as of Feb24, achieved a 67% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 compared to 2021 baseline)
- 50% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2032 (in progress)
- Net zero across all three scopes by 2040.
What have we done so far?
Continued to rapidly reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions
In 2023 our Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint reduced by 39% compared to 2022 (779 tCO2e down to 475 tCO2e, avoiding 303 tCO2 per year). This is a total reduction of 62% since our 2021 baseline. This is good news, but it is the easy part. The reduction has largely been achieved by purchasing 100% of our electricity from a zero-carbon electricity tariff. Getting the remaining 475 tCO2e of Scope 1 & 2 emissions down to zero by the end of 2028 will require:
• switching our fleet of 35 vans to electric – which is more challenging than anticipated
• replacing our gas boilers with electric – which is expensive
• upgrading air conditioning units – which we will start working through between 2025 and 2027 This will be tough to achieve, particularly with the slow advancement of electric van technology (as we explain in the next section). However, we have made a commitment and are working on it.
Invested in renewable energy – with more to come
In April this year, we installed an additional 1,221 solar panels on the roof of our new warehouse (Warehouse 5). This means we now generate well over 50% of the electricity we need to power our entire HQ, avoiding around 200 tCO2e per year and saving in the region of £150,000 a year in electricity bills.
For more details, see our 2023 Carbon Report and our 2024 Annual Sustainability Report.
Bag in Box and more
Explore our range of wines packaged in Bag-in-Box, including some of your favourites from The Society’s own-label range, plus four top-sellers in our new rPET bottles, ideal for picnics and festivals and now fully recyclable and more carbon efficient. Read more about our flat rPET bottles here
Find out more
Alternative packaging for wine report
Read our review of a range of wine-packaging formats.
Find out more
Carbon footprint report
The Society’s 10-year plan to cut carbon emissions across our business and supply chain.
Find out more
Acting on Climate change
We minimise our climate footprint, from the vineyard to our home, and then onwards to yours
Find out moreClimate articles
Acting on climate change
Andrew Jefford: France's hottest day – the implications for winemakers and wine drinkers
*Please note that the carbon emission figures in this report have been rounded up or down ** See page 21 for a detailed explanation of how we will achieve this *** Please note that in reality this may be 99% reduction as there will likely be some residual GHG emissions from air conditioning leakages and testing the fire pump ****Please note that being able to switch all 35 vans and delivery routes will depend on the availability of the required zero-emission van technology