(Wines&Vines) - Representatives from 195 nations agreed to lower greenhouse gas emissions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference on Dec. 12 in what is being widely hailed as a “landmark” agreement. The United Nations had fought for the initiative since 2009, with the long-term goal of limiting global warming through adoption of stricter emissions standards worldwide.

The international wine industry is an obvious stakeholder concerned with global warming. The allied Caring for Climate (COP21), the official business forum during the conference, was addressed by a wine industry panel that included Josh Prigge, director of regenerative development for California’s Fetzer Vineyards, as well as representatives from an international group of wineries.

Wine industry take-away

The breakout session “Climate Action in a Bottle – Red, White or Rose?” was attended by some 50-75 interested parties, Prigge told Wines & Vines upon his return from Paris last week.

The Caring for Climate business forum “was global,” he said. “We were brought together to build momentum and support.” His panel included representatives from French wine organizations Moet-Hennessy, Chateaux Smith-Lafitte and Maris, and Chilean powerhouse Concha y Toro (which now owns Fetzer).

 “We talked about what the wine industry is doing to address climate change, something Fetzer has been doing for decades,” Prigge said. “Climate change is important to our industry specifically because we could be very affected by it in terms of varieties we grow and produce. We must be prepared for any adjustments in the conditions. It’s important for the wine industry to lead the way, but we cannot do it ourselves.”