Environmental management systems in New Zealand wineries: Is SWNZ the answer?

Abstract

In recent years, various formal environmental management systems (EMS) have been developed and promoted by national and regional wine industry associations worldwide. Specifically, New Zealand Winegrowers, the national industry association, has encouraged wineries and grapegrowers to implement a formal industry-specific EMS. They’ve developed and named Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ). This paper explores the implementation of the SWNZ programme along with other formal EMS in New Zealand wineries. Insights are provided about specific aspects of implementation including the benefits of implementation, changes to environmental practices, disadvantages associated with implementation and areas where environmental improvement is still needed. The paper then concludes with the practical implications of the study.