Carbon Calculation Challenge
The future of wine supply depends on urgent, credible progress on emissions reduction. That starts with knowing your numbers.
That's why IWCA, in partnership with leading retailers Berry Bros. & Rudd and The Wine Society, have launched the Carbon Calculation Challenge 2026.
We will guide participating wineries — perhaps, yours! — through the process of measuring your Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This can lay the foundation for future reductions and long-term climate planning.
CHALLENGE PARTNERS:
Who can participate?
The Challenge is designed to be accessible to wineries of all sizes, anywhere in the world.
How do I start?
Download IWCA's free GHG emissions calculator here to get started. We'll ask for your contact information, so we can reach out to confirm whether you want to participate in the Challenge, and offer our expertise if you need it.
Why only Scopes 1 and 2?
The Challenge has been deliberately designed as an accessible entry point, for those new to carbon accounting. By focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions — areas where data is most readily available and actions are most directly within a business’s control — we aim to lower the barriers that often prevent wine businesses from getting started with carbon measurement and reduction.
For businesses ready to go further, IWCA already offers free, robust calculators covering Scope 3 emissions, allowing participants to progress towards more complete value‑chain carbon measurement at their own pace.
What is involved?
To join the challenge, your winery will need to measure your Scope 1 and 2 emissions (more info below). You'll use IWCA's free GHG emissions calculators and be able to benefit from IWCA's personalized and expert guidance, if you need it.
What's the benefit of participating?
We hear from wineries all the time who want to take climate action. The first step is to know your current "emission hotspots," which can help you strategize next steps for action.
IWCA's methodology is the first and leading approach for emissions measurement in the wine sector, aligned with World Resources Institute (WRI) GHG Protocols and ISO-14064 standards. Through the Challenge, you'll get onto the right path with a globally recognized methodology.
Increasingly, retailers, customers, and industry partners are looking for wineries who can demonstrate they are serious about climate action. We're seeing more regulation around mandatory climate disclosures, which can affect even small wineries within larger companies' supply chains.
Start the Challenge!
Use IWCA's GHG emissions calculator to measure your winery's Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. We'll ask for your contact information so that we can later confirm your participation in the challenge and offer support.
Questions or need support? Contact us.
Understanding GHG Emissions
The Challenge asks wineries to measure Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions — areas most directly under a company's control.
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS
This refers to direct emissions generated by sources owned by the winery or under its operational control.
In a winery, this includes, for example:
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the use of fuels in vineyards,
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the winery itself or its own logistics operations, refrigerant gas leaks,
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emissions from the use of CO₂ in processes,
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emissions from the soil due to nitrogen fertilization,
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and on-site emissions associated with waste or wastewater treatment.
According to the IWCA, all these sources must be considered within Scope 1, including refrigerators, even if they are not covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS
This refers to indirect emissions resulting from the electricity purchased and consumed by the winery.
This includes electricity purchased from the public grid to operate the facilities, as well as, where applicable, associated transmission and distribution losses.
The IWCA allows these emissions to be reported using either a location-based or market-based approach, but sets strict rules for the use of purchased renewable electricity, which must come from the same electricity grid as that used for consumption and must not generate negative emissions.
On-site self-generated renewable electricity is reported separately as part of the winery’s energy performance.
The Carbon Calculation Challenge 2026 is organized by International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) in partnership with two of the UK’s most influential wine retailers, Berry Bros. & Rudd and The Wine Society. Learn more about the Challenge.
