New research published in the Journal of Climate Risk Management examines how UK wine businesses are adapting to climate change. The study analysed business-level adaptation, including responding to opportunities and risks from climate change within the industry. The study covered 19 wine businesses in the UK, representing different parts of the value chain, such as growers, makers, distributors, and retailers.
The research takes a sector-wide, value chain lens approach to analysing opportunities and risks alongside the role of extreme events in decision-making and learning. Results show that while businesses increasingly see climate change as an opportunity for the quality and quantity of grapes and wine; climate risks such as increased variability, pests, diseases, and supply chain disruptions present challenges across value chains. This produces winners and losers in ‘good and bad years’ over longer timescales. The study finds that businesses engage in extensive proactive adaptation behaviours; including diversification, technological investment and collaboration with other stakeholders. They continuously iterate and refine adaptation strategies in response to climate variability and extreme events, from business design stage through to development.
The research findings could have practical implications for policymakers, industry associations, and other stakeholders who can support the adaptation and resilience of the UK wine sector.