González Byass’ “5+5 Looking after the Planet” sustainability plan is one of the 101 climate initiatives that the #PorElClima (ForClimateChange) Community has singled out for its innovation, support and commitment to the cause. A committee of experts comprising members of the Biodiversity Foundation at the Ministry of Transition to Organics, the Global Compact Spanish Network, the Spanish Group for Green Growth, Forética, Aclima and the Excellence in Sustainability Club joined together to select the initiatives, which were recognised during the World Climate Change Summit in Madrid (COP25).
The recognition by the #PorElClima Community is in respect of González Byass’ commitment to sustainability as manifested in the “5+5 Looking After the Planet” plan. The #PorElClima Community is an initiative driven by Ecodes that aims to raise awareness in society of the need to act urgently and collaboratively to fight the climate crisis. All of the wineries in this Family of Wines are developing ways of reducing water consumption, optimising energy resources and fulfilling other objectives that help protect the environment. The efforts have paid off and González Byass Jerez, Vilarnau, Viñas del Vero and Beronia Rioja have all gained “Wineries for Climate Protection” certification, the first and only stamp of recognition in this field that exists in the Spanish wine industry.
This philosophy has also translated into several major projects undertaken in recent years. The most notable of these are the new Beronia winery in the D.O.Ca. Rioja, a unique building that will be using a geothermically driven structural thermo-activation system and has gained LEED pre-certification. LEED (Leader in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design) accreditation for sustainability is recognised worldwide and is granted by the US Green Building Council. The environmentally friendly construction of the Beronia winery in Rueda has merited a recognition in the 7th Castilla y León Sustainable Construction Awards and also a mention at the World Architecture Festival.
Viñas del Vero, D.O. Somontano’s foremost winery has, for its part, become one of the few sites in Spain to offer vehicles hydrogen and electric charging facilities, with both forms of energy coming from renewables. The winery is already producing organic wines, as do Beronia Rioja, Finca Constancia and Vilarnau, which makes all its reserva cavas from grapes grown in vineyards certified organic. González Byass’ New World winery is following suit. Indeed, Viñedos Veramonte (Chile) has completed the conversion process and 100% of its vineyards are now certified organic.
González Byass at the World Climate Summit in Madrid (COP25)
González Byass has also attended the COP25, taking part in the round table on innovation and sustainability titled “The European agro-food industry: innovation as a core pillar for improving sustainability”, an important meeting that brought eminent players in the sector together.
