We want to contribute towards a Climate-Safe Future. Easy to say, but tough to deliver! To focus our efforts, we have 5 key priorities:

(1) Emit less, (2) Store Carbon, (3) Rescue Biodiversity, (4) Protect Vineyards and (5) Create Climate Leaders.
We have set 10 x short/ medium term targets, each one SMART. These targets are the backbone of our Group Sustainability Strategy. They make us accountable, inspire local action, and ensure that our efforts are aligned to our priorities.
1. By 2030, halve Scope 1,2, & 3a (where 3a are indirect operational emissions) compared to 2020/21
2. By 2030, reduce Scope 3b by 25% (where 3b are indirect product emissions), compared to 2020/21
3. By 2030, improve Carbon Intensity (kg CO2-e/ bottle equivalent) by 25% compared to 2020/21
4. From 2023/24, support the creation of Carbon Sequestration Projects, that will sequester the equivalent of emissions from Operations + Last Mile deliveries.
5. By 2025, Biodiversity Action Plans being implemented by all Top 50 Suppliers
6. By 2025, Climate Change Adaptation Plans being implemented by all Top 50 Suppliers
7. Green Teams established across every Direct Wines operation by 2022/23
8. +30% of permanent staff participating in annual engagement initiatives, by 2023/24
9. All Top Suppliers measuring their carbon footprints by 2023/24
10. A majority of suppliers completing the Supplier Sustainability Survey. All showing positive progress.

How will we achieve our targets in carbon?
Operational emissions (the Carbon we emit as a business): More renewable-sourced electricity. And, if possible, greener (biogenic) gas and HVO biofuel to substitute fossil fuels. More use of electric vehicles. Solar PV on our own rooftops wherever possible. Smarter staff commuting. Less waste to landfill. More efficient business travel.

Product emissions (those related to our supply chain): Less emissions from home deliveries (thanks to EVs and HVO). More bulk freight. More low-carbon formats (Bag-in-Box, Tetra Pak, and lighter glass bottles). More renewables. Improved energy efficiency in our supply chains. And better tracking of Carbon emissions by our suppliers, thanks to a sector-specific online Carbon Calculator (currently in development).

Store Carbon: we will continue purchasing forestry-based Carbon Credits to offset emissions from home deliveries, until the end of 2022/23. However, we will then switch to supporting local tree planting projects, which provide opportunities for our staff to engage with Climate Action in a more tangible way. Such projects will also allow us to complete our own due diligence with increased confidence in the integrity of the resulting sequestration.

How will we achieve our targets in ecological care & regeneration?
First, we’ll estimate the total hectares of supplier vineyards, and the percentage available as habitat for local biodiversity. The aim being to increase the area being managed for biodiversity and improve stewardship. We’ll also work with local ecologists to create Biodiversity Action Plans for a selection of archetypical vineyards. The results of these assessments will be shared across our supplier base to help promote methods which enhance biodiversity, not harm it.

How will we promote sustainability through supply chain partners?
This is crucial, as approximately 98% of our emissions are in Scope 3! So, we’ll ramp up our engagement on sustainability. To create opportunities for our suppliers to learn from each other. For leading suppliers to inspire those who are in the comparatively early stages of their journey. And to ensure our smaller suppliers are supported. We will do this by hosting annual Supplier Sustainability Workshops. And, on an approximately quarterly basis, we will update our suppliers on progress made in the various supplier-lead projects being undertaken. In the short term, these include (1) Carbon Sequestration on Vineyards, (2) Carbon Footprinting in the wine sector, (3) Climate Change Adaptation Plans for vineyards, (4) Science Based Targets: what are they and how to get started, (5) Biodiversity Action Plans for vineyards, and (6) Local recycling challenges and opportunities.

How will we track performance?
Within Direct Wines: Sustainability Leadership from the top. Board-level review of progress (using KPIs which reflect each of the ten targets listed above) will be frequent and regular. Quarterly updates will be presented to the Sustainability Steering Committee (which includes Direct Wines owners and relevant Directors). Our Sustainability Progress Team (which includes leaders from various parts of the business) will meet monthly to review progress and steer action. And on a site level, action will be implemented by local Green Teams, already being set up across all our geographies.

We believe that our sector can take great strides towards decarbonisation. That the time for Climate Action is most definitely ,
NOW. But we also know that we can’t do it alone. That we must collaborate beyond our own supply chain, starting with others in the sector. This is why we are also contributing to (and benefitting from) the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, as well as the WSTA’s Environmental Sustainability Working Group. And we hope, that by signing the Harpers Sustainability Charter, we can further expand our network and work with others for a Climate-Safe Future.