Villa Maria has become the first major New Zealand wine producer to achieve CEMARS or Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme certification.
Villa Maria undertook a rigorous auditing process to measure its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile against international ISO standards.
The company has also pledged a commitment to managing the carbon footprint of its operation, excluding overseas retail and distribution.
Developed in New Zealand, CEMARS is an internationally recognised GHG emissions reduction programme run by Landcare Research’s carboNZero programme.
In large operations where the offsetting of GHG emissions is not a feasible option, CEMARS provides a framework for measuring and reporting the steps taken to reduce a business’s carbon footprint.
Villa Maria is one of nine businesses nationwide to gain CEMARS certification. Boutique wine producer Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough, associated with Villa Maria through the ‘Family of Twelve’ marketing collective, is the only other winery to wear the CEMARS stamp.
“Receiving CEMARS certification is a great achievement and a significant milestone for Villa Maria. Over the past 15 years we have launched many initiatives aimed at reducing our environmental impact and CEMARS represents the next step taken in that journey,” says Villa Maria national wineries manager and executive director, Fabian Yukich.
“CEMARS provides audited GHG emissions measurement for every part of our business and enables us to focus most effectively on where we can achieve the largest reductions. In an environmentally-aware international marketplace it is imperative we do our share. Although there is capital expenditure involved, reducing emissions means cost efficiency in the long-term, and a family wine business must always focus on the long-term.”
The carboNZero programme (including CEMARS) is the world’s first greenhouse gas certification scheme to receive international accreditation under the auspices of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), an important factor for a CEMARS certified winery.
Because organisations are being compared by shareholders, stakeholders and markets on the basis of their footprint, they need assurances that everybody is being measured against a standard that has been verified, so there are no misleading claims in the market. CEMARS certification provides this.
The accreditation means that Villa Maria, along with all CEMARS and carboNZero certified organisations, can measure and report their carbon footprint with confidence and credibility, since it has been verified against a global standard and is accepted in 50 major world economies.
International accreditation provides export clients with assurance that the carboNZero programme is accredited by a body that all overseas markets recognise. Furthermore, it provides clients with assurance that their certification meets those international standards and is operated to a level of world repute.
Mike Tournier, carboNZero programme business manager, says Villa Maria is a New Zealand company with clear principles of business excellence and performance.
As the world’s first internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification scheme under ISO14065, we have been able to ensure that Villa Maria’s strong brand values are underwritten with carbon credentials that are automatically accepted in 50 major global economies. This will give them, along with all our certified export clients, a significant market and strategic advantage.”
He says CEMARS certification for a winery or carboNZero certification for a winery and/or wine products will help reduce operating costs, add value and enable unrealised opportunities. During May 2010 the carboNZero programme is offering one hour of free consultation.