SATI Beyond The Bunch 3rd Quarter 2026

then choose to have their data automatically exported to the third-party carbon calculator of their choice (currently, either Confronting Climate Change or AgrigateOne). Alternatively, growers can access these and other carbon calculators directly. However, keep in mind that not all carbon calculators are created equal. Firstly, carbon calculators use conversion factors to estimate emissions from various inputs, such as electricity. These emission factors are country specific, so South African growers need a carbon calculator that uses South African emission factors. Secondly, reputable and accurate carbon calculators are based on recognised international standards. SIZA checks that the calculators linked to their platform meet these standards, but not all online calculators do. If a grower uses an unreliable calculator, retailers and regulators may question the results. Lastly, some platforms offer growers extensive support, ranging from regular training sessions to one-on-one assistance. Calculating a carbon footprint might seem daunting, but help is on hand to walk growers through the process. 2. Apply your results A good carbon footprint tool doesn’t spit out a single number. It provides an emissions breakdown, allows benchmarking by commodity and region, and highlights hotspots. For example, the calculator might reveal that a farm uses much more electricity or fuel per unit of table grapes produced than the regional average. Once growers know their emissions profile, they may be able to identify obvious areas for improvement and act on them immediately . They can also develop longer-term reduction plans or enlist professional assistance to draft goals. Organisations can use a methodology from the Science Based Targets initiative to set goals and measure progress toward mitigating climate change. Science Based Targets is a global climate organisation that publishes internationally accepted methodologies and standards. Science Based Targets is complex and usually involves contracting a consultant to get started.

However, large retailers tend to have Science Based Targets, and the wine industry has already seen instances of retailers demanding the same from their suppliers. For now, the main shift in retailer requirements seems to be away from wanting a certificate to wanting the data behind it. This is partly to protect their brands, and partly to comply with reporting or other regulations. Understandably, growers may feel dismayed by the prospect of more paperwork, but they should keep in mind that all emissions originate in inputs, and all inputs cost money. Therefore, cutting emissions tends to save money . For example, cover crops take a few years to yield benefits, but reduce fertiliser, herbicide, and fuel costs (as well as emissions) in the long term. friendly practices, such as cover cropping, drip irrigation, shade netting, or even planting windbreaks. Yet they don’t take credit for these achievements – they don’t even recognise that their farming methods are achievements! One advantage of carbon calculators is that growers can showcase their climate-friendly interventions to consumers, retailers, and everyone else. Building emission data over several years, setting and meeting goals, and demonstrating improvements is good for the table-grape industry’s competitiveness as well as for the planet. It’s worth adding that greenhouse-gas emissions are just one piece of the sustainability puzzle. Oftentimes, activities that promote another aspect of sustainability are also climate-friendly. For example, improving soil organic carbon benefits soil and grapevines, lowers fertiliser and water use (thereby reducing emissions), and removes carbon from the atmosphere. Whenever growers face even more regulations and reporting requirements, it can be easy to feel discouraged and view sustainability as a burden. But the most successful growers remember the true meaning of sustainability. For them, a carbon footprint is an opportunity to up their game while simultaneously creating a better world for generations to come. Now they should also share their success stories with other growers and the public. 3. Share your success Many South African table-grape growers already implement multiple climate

BEYOND THE BUNCH • 9 • QUARTER 3 • 2026