Purpose Carbon-footprint (CF) evidence for vineyards under warm-temperate humid climates is limited, despite strong interannual climate variability (“vintage effect”) that can reshape field operations and emissions. This study provides the first systematic CF baseline for Uruguayan vineyards and evaluates how variety, site and growing season conditions influence hotspots and mitigation priorities. Methods We applied Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the agricultural phase of grape production using the LIFE-ADVICLIM methodology aligned with OIV guidance. The functional unit was one ha of productive vineyard per growing season (cradle-to-gate; for the vineyard stage) and one kg of grape. Eighteen commercial cases were compiled from three vineyards, two varieties (Tannat, Albariño) and four consecutive growing seasons (2020–2021 to 2023–2024). System boundaries included direct emissions (diesel combustion in machinery; N2O and urea-related emissions from nitrogen inputs) and indirect emissions (upstream production of inputs, machinery, irrigation components and trellis materials). Modelling used SimaPro with Ecoinvent and Agribalyse databases and the 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP100). Emissions were separated into 10 activity groups in the grape production process. Results and discussion Mean CF was 1707 kg CO2 eq ha− 1 yr− 1(range 1178–2273), positioning the analyzed cases at the lower threshold of internationally reported values for the sector. Direct emissions contributed 61% of totals, with diesel use in agricultural machinery as the dominant single source (50%), highlighting the importance of mechanized interventions in humid conditions. By activity, pest and disease management accounted for 40% of total emissions, followed by fertilizer and amendment application (24%), soil management (17%) and vineyard maintenance (12%). Tannat showed higher average CF than Albariño (+ 292 kg CO2 eq ha− 1 yr− 1; +19.2%), mainly due to phytosanitary management. Interannual variability was expressed primarily through pest and disease management: during the driest season (2022–2023), its emissions decreased by 207 kg CO2 eq ha− 1 yr− 1 relative to wetter seasons. Total CF did not differ significantly among sites, but the emission profile did; in particular, trellis design mattered, with galvanized steel posts increasing the CF compared with wooden posts. Conclusions A benchmark was established for the region, for monitoring and sustainability certification in warm-temperate humid viticulture. Mitigation should prioritize reducing diesel demand (planning, efficient or electrified machinery, optimized on-farm transport) and lowering the frequency and duration of plant-protection interventions (decision support, improved spraying efficiency, resistant or shorter-cycle cultivars), complemented by precision nitrogen management and low-emission trellis choices. However, the exclusive focus on Carbon Footprint represents a study limitation, as potential environmental burden transfers to other impact categories were not evaluated.

Carbon footprint of vineyards in Uruguay: assessing the influence of grape variety and interannual climate variability under warm-temperate humid conditions

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发表日期：

2026年7月24日

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Ramiro Tachini,
Hervé Quénol,
Valérie Bonnardot,
Mercedes Fourment

摘要

Purpose

Carbon-footprint (CF) evidence for vineyards under warm-temperate humid climates is limited, despite strong interannual climate variability (“vintage effect”) that can reshape field operations and emissions. This study provides the first systematic CF baseline for Uruguayan vineyards and evaluates how variety, site and growing season conditions influence hotspots and mitigation priorities.

Methods

We applied Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the agricultural phase of grape production using the LIFE-ADVICLIM methodology aligned with OIV guidance. The functional unit was one ha of productive vineyard per growing season (cradle-to-gate; for the vineyard stage) and one kg of grape. Eighteen commercial cases were compiled from three vineyards, two varieties (Tannat, Albariño) and four consecutive growing seasons (2020–2021 to 2023–2024). System boundaries included direct emissions (diesel combustion in machinery; N₂O and urea-related emissions from nitrogen inputs) and indirect emissions (upstream production of inputs, machinery, irrigation components and trellis materials). Modelling used SimaPro with Ecoinvent and Agribalyse databases and the 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP100). Emissions were separated into 10 activity groups in the grape production process.

Results and discussion

Mean CF was 1707 kg CO₂ eq ha^− 1 yr^− 1(range 1178–2273), positioning the analyzed cases at the lower threshold of internationally reported values for the sector. Direct emissions contributed 61% of totals, with diesel use in agricultural machinery as the dominant single source (50%), highlighting the importance of mechanized interventions in humid conditions. By activity, pest and disease management accounted for 40% of total emissions, followed by fertilizer and amendment application (24%), soil management (17%) and vineyard maintenance (12%). Tannat showed higher average CF than Albariño (+ 292 kg CO₂ eq ha^− 1 yr^− 1; +19.2%), mainly due to phytosanitary management. Interannual variability was expressed primarily through pest and disease management: during the driest season (2022–2023), its emissions decreased by 207 kg CO₂ eq ha^− 1 yr^− 1 relative to wetter seasons. Total CF did not differ significantly among sites, but the emission profile did; in particular, trellis design mattered, with galvanized steel posts increasing the CF compared with wooden posts.

Conclusions

A benchmark was established for the region, for monitoring and sustainability certification in warm-temperate humid viticulture. Mitigation should prioritize reducing diesel demand (planning, efficient or electrified machinery, optimized on-farm transport) and lowering the frequency and duration of plant-protection interventions (decision support, improved spraying efficiency, resistant or shorter-cycle cultivars), complemented by precision nitrogen management and low-emission trellis choices. However, the exclusive focus on Carbon Footprint represents a study limitation, as potential environmental burden transfers to other impact categories were not evaluated.