CHILE: Cono Sur exports granted 'CarbonNeutral' status

13 August 2007 | Source: just-drinks.com editorial team

Cono Sur has become the first winery in the world to gain CarbonNeutral status on all exports of its wines.

The Chilean wine producer said today (13 August) that its CO2 emissions from the shipping of its Cono Sur and Isla Negra wines have been measured and balanced to net zero through greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, according to The CarbonNeutral Company.

Cono Sur general manager Adolfo Hurtado said: "Today, the big issue we face is climate change and it's our duty to support the means to reverse it and prevent it. This is why we decided to take the next step with The CarbonNeutral Company."

The CarbonNeutral Company executive director Jonathan Shopley added: "It's great to see a leading wine producer taking this issue seriously and working hard to achieve CarbonNeutral delivery status."

Henceforth, the winery will carry the CarbonNeutral delivery logo on its products.

In order to receive the certification, a company must follow the CarbonNeutral Protocol, a framework for effective action created by The CarbonNeutral Company. Companies are required to take ongoing voluntary action on their contribution to minimising climate change.

To carry the trademark on a product, a company's CO2 emissions must have been assessed, the areas of reduction identified, and the remaining emissions offset through carbon projects around the world. Companies must also take an active role in communicating the specific actions they will be taking to reduce their impact on global climate change.

Earlier this year, water company Icelandic Water Holdings was granted CarbonNeutral Certification by the company, making it the first super-premium bottled water distributed in the US to be recognised for its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.