Our emissions profile
The Holdaways own and manage significant areas of conservation and production forests in Marlborough
Not only do these forests completely offset all emissions associated with wine production (vineyard, winery, packaging and distribution to customers), they do so by an order of magnitude (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Figure 1: Cumulative total emissions, sinks, and net carbon change associated with our business activities since 1990, and forecast changes out to 2040. Annual sinks are >10 times greater than the annual emissions. For a summary of the methods used to produce this figure click here.
Production forests
This investment in forestry started in 1992 with the planting of 368 ha of P. radiata production forestry. These forests are incredible carbon sinks that, even when harvested and replanted, store on average approximately 260 tons of CO₂e per ha more than pastoral farmland. They also provide employment and a sustainable renewable resource in the form of wood.
Additional forests were planted in 2020 (88 ha), 2021 (170 ha), 2022 (89 ha) and 2024 (176 ha) bringing the total area of new production forests to 891 ha.
Regenerating native forest
The Holdaways also own and manage 2000 ha of native regenerating native forest. This includes 991 ha that has been established post-1990 following cessation of farming activities, as well as 1000 ha of older regenerating forest. These native forests are a permanent long term carbon sink. They also provide a multitude of additional ecosystem services including habitat for biodiversity and provision of fresh water.
Examples of things we do to reduce emissions
Integrating sheep
Integrating livestock into the vineyard in winter reduces need for winter tractor passes and helps to increase soil carbon
Productive vines
Healthy productive vines produce more crop for less input, reducing per bottle emissions
Lightweight bottles
Lightweight bottles containing a high percentage recycled glass reduce packaging emissions