Feb 9 2009
South Africa's wine industry was ranked just one place down from US President Barack Obama when it comes to building public awareness of environmental issues thanks to a unique partnership with WWF.
UK magazine The Drinks Business, with a global monthly readership of 30,000, voted Wines of South Africa (WOSA) into fifth place on the 2009 Green List of the 50 most influential drinks companies, individuals and organisations with “a strong environmental influence over many consumers”.
The first three places were taken by multinational retail giants Tesco, Carrefour and Wal-Mart, with President Obama in fourth place. WOSA’s recognition was due to their involvement with the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI), a project jointly managed by WWF and the Botanical Society of South Africa and funded by The Green Trust, a partnership between WWF and Nedbank.
The Drinks Business praised WOSA for its involvement in BWI, a strategic partnership between the wine industry and the conservation sector, its adoption of biodiversity guidelines and its focus on environmental impact studies.
Sue Birch, Chief Executive of WOSA, said: “That we are in the company of the world’s most powerful retail chains, who are able to exercise significant influence, as well as the new and highly popular president of the United States, makes us feel extremely proud!”
She lauded the role of BWI in promoting and protecting biodiversity within the Cape Floral Kingdom, where over 95 per cent of the country’s wines originate. “In less than four years, 140 local wine producers, under the auspices of BWI, have set aside 112,550 hectares for long-term conservation. This is significantly more than the total national vineyard footprint of 102,000 hectares.”
Bruce Jack, chief winemaker for Constellation South Africa which produces Kumlala, South Africa’s leading brand in the UK, said: “South Africa is leading the world in protecting fauna and flora through the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative.
“When you buy a South African wine from one of the participating wine farmers you’re helping to stem the destruction of our natural biodiversity. This coordinated effort between agriculture and conservation is unique in the world.”