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Sustainability

sustainability (GB)
durabilité (F)
sostenibilità (I)
sustentabilidade (PO)
nachhaltige Weinproduktion (ES)

This means the use of a regenerable system in such a way that it retains its essential properties and its stock can be regenerated naturally. In forestry, for example, this means the principle according to which no more trees may be felled than can grow back at any one time. And in viticulture, for example, it is the use of bottles made of lightweight glass, which are required in large quantities. The production of glass, which is about a third lighter, can save an enormous amount of energy and greatly reduce CO2 emissions. But it is just as stable and strong as conventional glass. Ecological sustainability aims to preserve nature and the environment for future generations. This includes the preservation of biodiversity (species diversity), climate protection, the maintenance of cultural and landscape areas in their original form as well as a careful and environmentally friendly treatment of the natural environment. Ideally, sustainability should relate to ecological, economic and social aspects. This is also an important contribution in the fight against the negative effects of climate change.

Nachhaltigkeit - Gedenktafel Carlowitz und FSC-Siegel für Holzprodukte

Principle of sustainability

The principle of sustainability was first formulated in writing in 1713 by Hans Carl von Carlowitz (1645-1714), Elector of Saxony's chamberlain and mountain councillor. The German philosopher Konrad Ott (*1959) formulated it as follows: "Regenerable living resources may only be used to the extent that stocks naturally grow back". The international debate on development and environmental policy was decisively influenced by the World Commission on Environment and Development set up by the UN in 1983. Sustainability is a principle of action for the use of resources, in which a lasting satisfaction of needs is to be ensured by preserving the natural regenerative capacity of the systems involved (above all of living beings and ecosystems). In a comprehensive sense, sustainability means extending human action not only towards generational justice, but also towards global justice.

Excessive use of technology and chemistry

Great mistakes were made in the past due to the exaggerated use of technology and chemicals in vineyards and cellars, as well as a prevailing ignorance of their negative effects on the environment. It was only in the course of general awareness-raising that countermeasures were gradually taken in the direction of ecology, namely through the implementation of beneficial insect and environmentally friendly production methods. Through the use of plant protection or plant care products, fertilisers, but also through high machine and thus energy and water expenditure, this is an intensive form of agriculture. The goal of sustainable viticulture is to conserve resources as much as possible and to produce with low emissions. This is taken into account in ecologically oriented viticulture.

Nachhaltigkeit - Graphik - Diagramm

Holistic approach

In a holistic view, sustainable viticulture also includes the subsequent processing and distribution chains and also the consumers. These are essential criteria in organic viticulture and similar special forms of production such as biodynamic viticulture. By means of online tools, winegrowing enterprises can have an evaluation of their sustainability calculated in the form of a diagram after entering their operational key figures (see above right). The entries in the areas available for each farm (grape production, wine production, vineyard planting) are automatically evaluated according to a certain key. This means that measures that only make a small contribution to sustainability are given a lower value, while, for example, switching to lightweight glass for bottle glass is a big step. The result is shown in the form of a diagram. The black dot marks the current value in this category. The further out the dot is, the more sustainable the management is in this area. The red area indicates clear potential for improvement, the green area above average sustainability.

Institutions

In Germany, BÖLN (Bundesprogramm Ökologischer Landbau und anderer nachhaltiger Landwirtschaft - Federal Programme for Organic Farming and Other Sustainable Agriculture) is a governmental support programme to strengthen and expand organic and sustainable agriculture and food production. Institutions for the certification of winegrowing enterprises in connection with sustainability are

  • AB (Agriculture Biologique) - France
  • DINE (German Institute for Sustainable Development) - Germany
  • EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) - EU
  • Fair'n Green - Germany
  • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to ensure sustainable forest use - international
  • HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) - France
  • Sustainable Austria - Austria
  • SQNPI (Sistema Qualità Nazionale di Produzione Integrata) - Italy
  • Terra Vitis - France
  • Vignerons Engagés - France

Further information

On this topic, see also Biodiversity (promotion of biodiversity), Climate Change and Wine (World Congress), Cool Climate Winegrowing (cultivation of vines in cooler regions), Decarbonisation (reduction of carbon dioxide emissions), Globalisation (impact on viticulture), IWCA (International Wineries for Climate Action), Climate Change (through emissions), myclimate (climate protection), Greenhouse Effect (global warming through greenhouse gases) and Pollution (environment).

Text sources: WIKIPEDIA Sustainability and ÖWM
Carlowitz: Von Unukorno - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link
FSC seal of approval: By User:Gerhard Elsner - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Graphic: Johann Dréo derivative work: Sebastian Wallroth, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Diagram: © Austrian Winegrowers' Association

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Egon Mark

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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)

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