Agriculture, and viticulture in particular, stands out as one of the sectors most sensitive to climate change, especially in the Mediterranean area. In addition, Spain has the largest area of vineyards for winemaking in the world, spread over all the Autonomous Communities, so the negative impacts on such an important sector of the economy can have a great economic and social impact.

In order to promote the transfer of knowledge and mobilisation of all the actors involved to promote adaptation to the challenges posed by climate change to the vineyard sector, the Private Business and Climate Foundation has carried out different actions within the framework of the VIn & ADAP II project, which with the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, have allowed:

1. Diagnose the impacts of climate change on the vineyard, the sector’s perception of the issue, the needs and opportunities, and the key actors.
2. Learning Expedition: 7 training workshops and 3 final days of presentation of results, which have had a total of 266 participants.

Key findings from the project include:

• The sector is already aware of the effects of climate change and is concerned about the impacts it is generating in its activity. He is also aware of the need to act, but he is disoriented and overwhelmed by the situation and demands support.
• The global challenges identified are:
  • Build a global vision of the problem in order to design solutions.
  • To promote communication and information at all levels: consumers, the sector and public administrations.
  • Develop coordinated action and collaboration in the broadest sense of the word.
  • Research that approaches the needs of the sector using a close and accessible language
• The measures identified are:
  • Precision viticulture:
    • Land management
    • Water resources management
  • Regulation and standards:
    • Flexibility and streamlining of bureaucracies
  • Professionalization and training.
  • Applied research “in situ”:
    • Adapted varieties
    • Pathologies
  • Awareness and dissemination.
  • Efficiency in the warehouse (mitigation).

• The following needs are noted:
  • Develop global resource governance (especially on issues such as water).
  • Inventories of plant material and accessible land banks.
  • Greater collaboration between institutions and sector.
  • Work on training and awareness to promote a new philosophy of environmental respect and collaboration.
  • Promotion of local wines and development of new marketing strategies that value respect for natural resources.