Comparing the Carbon Footprint of Conventional and Organic Vineyards in Northern Italy

Isabella Ghiglieno, Anna Simonetto, Luca Facciano, Marco Tonni, Pierluigi Donna, Leonardo Valenti () and Gianni Gilioli
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Isabella Ghiglieno: Agrofood Research Hub, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Anna Simonetto: Agrofood Research Hub, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Luca Facciano: Agrofood Research Hub, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Marco Tonni: Sata Agronomist Consultants, Piazza della Loggia 5, 25121 Brescia, Italy
Pierluigi Donna: Sata Agronomist Consultants, Piazza della Loggia 5, 25121 Brescia, Italy
Leonardo Valenti: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
Gianni Gilioli: Agrofood Research Hub, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: The carbon footprint is an index used to assess the impact of an activity in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Viticulture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of fuels, fertilizers and pesticides, and the consequent soil erosion. Organic viticulture differs from conventional viticulture, mainly because of the absence of synthetic products, the soil tillage, and the level of organic carbon in the soil. The purpose of the study was to determine the actual differences between conventional and organic vineyard management in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, comparing multiannual data from 25 wineries in northern Italy. No statistically significant differences were found between the overall mean values of conventional and organic management. In organically farmed vineyards, a higher incidence of fuel consumption was observed, while in conventionally farmed vineyards higher emissions were observed, due to the use of such products as pesticides and fertilizers. No differences were found between the two management systems in terms of emissions resulting from direct fertilizing. Further assessment of the potential sequestration of organic fertilizer would be necessary.

Keywords: viticulture; organic vs. conventional management; carbon footprint; greenhouse gas (GHG); sustainable viticulture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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