Taylors Wines has firmed its environmental commitments by becoming becoming the first independent Australian winery to become a signatory to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The family-owned winery has set a target to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in its scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in line with the more ambitious target of limiting climate change to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement.
Taylors joins 31 other leading Australian businesses including Woolworths, Telstra, and Bank Australia who have committed or set specific targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Third-generation Winemaker and Managing Director Mitchell Taylor said: “As viticulturalists we’ve always been intimately connected to the climate and changes in the seasons. Our industry has seen first-hand the significant impacts of climate change on wine regions around the world. As a multi-generational family winery, creating a sustainable business is essential to the future of our industry and to the planet.
“The targets we’ve set with the SBTi touch on many aspects of our winery operations and vineyards. We hope our commitment to this initiative inspires others in the Australian wine industry to set Science Based Targets to reduce their emissions.”
Taylor added: “Climate change is a significant threat to the sustainability of the global wine and grape-growing industry. All wineries big and small should consider the impact we have on the environment and make serious decisions on what changes we can make to ensure Australian wine can thrive for many years to come.”
By setting its emissions reduction targets with SBTi, Taylors will annually report its company-wide scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions inventory and progress against published targets.
The winery is currently working with consulting group Edge Environment to implement the first of its identified capital investments to reduce its emissions, while also exploring new projects and efficiencies within the business.