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

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.