A large Marlborough winery has made a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 80 percent and hopes to inspire others in the sector to be more sustainable.
Marlborough's Yealands Wine Group aims to reach the target by 2045, and 50 percent by 2030.
It has also become one of six wineries to join a global group of winemakers that aims to decarbonise the wine industry.
International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), is a collective working group committed to tackling the severity of the climate crisis and sharing best practices in lower-impact winemaking.
Yealands had already reduced its emissions intensity, however, CEO Tiffani Graydon, said it wanted to do more.
"We have always been focused on reducing our emissions and have made some real progress, reducing almost 20 percent in the last five years.
"However, we want to go further. We all must make real reductions in our businesses if we are to live in a climate-friendly future," said Graydon.
Since its establishment in 2008, Yealands had put in a number of initiatives to be more sustainable.
The winery uses approximately 25 percent of multiple renewable energy sources to minimise its environmental footprint.
Solar panelling produces more than 400,000 kW hours per year, which helps to power the winery.
Yealands bales and burns a portion of its vine prunings in large burners which are used as an energy source and help to eliminate more than 160 tonnes of CO2 each year.
It is also home to two wind turbines that generate additional power for the winery.
"Producing world-class wines doesn't have to be at the expense of the environment," said Graydon.
"We're delighted to join IWCA and work collaboratively with other sustainability leaders in the industry to make a global difference, both now and in the future."
Yealands Wine Group joins IWCA alongside other leading winemakers from Chile, Portugal, Spain, and the USA. Other IWCA members include the founding wineries Jackson Family Wines (USA) and Familia Torres (Spain), as well as new members Spottswoode Estate (USA), Symington Family Estates (Portugal), and VSPT Wine Group (Chile).
