Project 2b: Wine Forward Climate Resilience Program Phase 2
Building Climate Resilience through Advanced Climate Risk Assessment & Carbon Reporting
Background
Wines of Western Australia (WoWA), in partnership with ClimAdapt (ARCA Sustain), regional wine associations, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, is implementing the Wine Forward Climate Resilience Program as part of the Western Australian Wine Sustainability Advancement Program (WAWSAP).
Climate-related physical risks are already impacting wine businesses across Western Australia. Longer droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, extended fire seasons, and shifting growing conditions are creating both immediate operational challenges and long-term strategic uncertainties. Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment confirms that primary industries face high climate risk today, escalating to very high risk within two decades.
The wine industry stands particularly exposed, with climate conditions directly determining grape ripening, wine quality, and yields. Beyond the vineyard, businesses face supply chain volatility, rising operational costs, evolving carbon pricing regulations, and increasing consumer and retailer expectations for climate action. Yet this challenge presents opportunity – consumer demand for climate-responsible wines is growing, insurers and financial institutions are integrating climate adaptation into pricing strategies, and retailers increasingly value climate resilience reporting.
The Wine Forward Program responds to these challenges by providing wine businesses with science-based tools to understand their climate vulnerabilities, quantify their carbon footprint, and develop practical adaptation strategies. The program aligns with the WA Wine Industry Sustainability Strategy 2025-2029 and Wine Australia’s Emissions Reduction Roadmap, positioning participating businesses for long-term resilience, market competitiveness, and access to climate-informed financing and insurance.
Purpose
The Wine Forward Program equips Western Australian wine businesses with comprehensive climate resilience systems that integrate climate risk assessment, carbon footprint measurement, and adaptation planning. Using advanced climate models, AI-driven analytics, and high-resolution vineyard data, the program transforms complex climate science into practical business intelligence for strategic decision-making.
The program operates through two phases designed to progressively scale climate resilience capability across the industry:
Phase 1: In-depth Climate Resilience Consulting (2026)
Intensive one-on-one consulting for 4 wine producers (vineyard and winemaking operations) to establish best-practice methodologies and create demonstration cases for the WA wine industry. These early adopters will serve as innovation champions, testing and refining climate resilience approaches tailored to WA wine sector realities.
Phase 2: Technology-enabled Climate Resilience Roll-out (2027)
Scaled deployment for 15-20 wine enterprises using a hybrid model combining ClimAdapt’s digital platform with consulting support. This phase leverages technology to reduce implementation costs by approximately 40% compared to traditional consulting models while maintaining quality and rigour.
What Participants Receive – Phase 2
Climate Risk & Opportunity Assessment:
- See your future business, block by block – 40-year climate projections down to each site, translated into a plain answer: which blocks stay strong, which come under pressure, and when.
- Invest with confidence – Clarity on which blocks are worth replanting, capital investment and succession, and which are not.
- Know which blocks to adjust, and the cost of doing nothing – For each block, where adjusting your management practices can protect performance and which practices to prioritise for the climate ahead.
- Know which varieties survive – We model how the variety on each block performs as conditions shift over 10, 20 and 30 years (will my Cabernet still ripen properly here in 2035, will my Chardonnay still make the style I’m known for ?)
- Know which varieties sell – We map survival against where the market is heading: younger drinkers are moving to lighter, fresher, lower-alcohol and savoury styles, and many of the Mediterranean varieties driving that shift are also the most heat- and drought-resilient (if I replant, what suits my future climate AND what people will actually want to drink?)
Phase 2 covers up to three blocks per participant. Additional blocks can be assessed for an extra fee, by arrangement.
Carbon Footprint Calculation
- Measured to the highest standard – Emissions measured across Scopes 1, 2 & 3 — cultivation, production, packaging, logistics and others — using methods designed to align with the most rigorous international standards (ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol)
- Report once, use everywhere – The single assessment is structured to support reporting across the different frameworks and markets you deal with (if I do this once, will it hold up when a buyer, a bank or an export market asks?)
- Find the easy wins – Pinpoints your emissions hot spots and the decarbonisation moves with the biggest return.
The carbon footprint spans every business unit you operate and there’s no limit on units added.
Compliant Climate Reporting:
- Built for compliance– Structured to align with Australia’s climate reporting requirements, and with international climate disclosure frameworks.
- Ready when the bank or insurer asks – Lenders and insurers are increasingly pricing climate risk into their terms; a credible assessment helps you demonstrate you’re managing it.
Phase 1: In-depth Climate Resilience Consulting
Timeline: December 2025 – July 2026 (with planned pause during vintage months)
Participants: 4 wine producers (vineyard and winemaking operations)
Regional Allocation:
- Great Southern region: 2 participants
- Margaret River region: 2 participants
- Note: Other regions may be considered if places remain unfilled
Participant Contribution:
- Cash contribution: $2,590 (subsidised program cost)
- In-kind contribution: ~$3,000 (time for assessments, data provision, consultation sessions)
Delivery Model:
- In person one-on-one consulting with dedicated climate scientist and agronomist working directly with your team across multiple site visits and strategy sessions
- Access to ClimAdapt’s technology platform and digital reporting dashboard to track your resilience progress beyond the project period
Deliverables:
- Climate Adaptation and Mitigation upskilling session
- Business-specific Climate Risks and Opportunities Assessment
- Business-specific Carbon Footprint Assessment
- Comprehensive Climate Resilience Report
- Summary marketing-format report for stakeholder engagement
Phase 2: Technology-enabled Climate Resilience Roll-out
Timeline: July 2026 – July 2027 (with planned pause during vintage months)
Participants: 15-20 wine enterprises
Geographic Scope:
- Open to all wine and grape producers across WA wine regions
- Engagement across multiple sub-regions to build state-wide capability
Delivery Model:
- Technology-led with expert backup. Hybrid approach combining ClimAdapt digital platform with one-on-one consulting support
- Regional upskilling sessions through Wines of WA and regional associations
- Enhanced operational efficiency and flexibility through technology-enabled delivery
Participant Contribution:
- To be confirmed (significantly reduced from Phase 1 through technology efficiencies)
Deliverables:
- Climate Adaptation and Mitigation upskilling session
- Business-specific Climate Risks and Opportunities Assessment
- Business-specific Carbon Footprint Assessment
- Comprehensive Climate Resilience Report
- Summary marketing-format report for stakeholder engagement
Eligibility Criteria
- Current financial member of Wines of Western Australia (APC Fee For Service)
- Wine business operating vineyard and winemaking operations in WA wine regions
- Ability to meet required participant contributions (cash and in-kind)
- Commitment to provide operational data required for assessments
- Willingness to participate in assessment processes and consultation sessions
- Commitment to contribute to program evaluation and knowledge sharing
Selection Criteria
Phase 1 applications will be prioritised based on:
- Suitability as early adopter/innovation champion for the WA wine industry
- Diversity of business models (size, scale, integrated vs specialist operations)
- Regional representation (priority for Great Southern and Margaret River)
- Readiness to engage deeply with assessment and planning processes
- Commitment to share learnings with broader industry
Phase 2 applications will be prioritised based on:
- Geographic diversity across WA wine regions
- Representation of different business scales and operational models
- Readiness to participate in technology-enabled assessment process
- Commitment to contribute to regional capacity building
APPLY HERE
Project Timeline: This is a two-year program running from 2026 to 2028. Successful applicants will be supported throughout this period with staged implementation of climate risk and opportunity and carbon footprint assessments.
Apply by COB Friday, 31st August 2026
Please complete the short EOI form (attached), or email it to
Eloise Jarvis
Wines of Western Australia
E: [email protected]
M: 0447 587 151
Note: Priority will be given to early applications that demonstrate strong innovation champion potential.