Announcement: COP30 Action Agenda calls for accelerating the implementation of the Global Stocktake. Read here.
Parts of this site were translated using AI. Accuracy may vary.
Announcement: COP30 Action Agenda calls for accelerating the implementation of the Global Stocktake. Read here.
Parts of this site were translated using AI. Accuracy may vary.
Impact Makers: Miguel A. Torres
Friday, 15 November 2024 | By Climate Champions
Miguel A. Torres
TITLE
President, Familia Torres; Co-Founder, International Wineries for Climate Action
LOCATION
El Penedès, Barcelona, Spain
ABOUT
Miguel A. Torres is the president of Familia Torres, a family-owned winery with a legacy dating back to 1870. As a fourth-generation winemaker, Miguel joined the family business in 1962 and took over as president in 1991. Since 2008, he has driven the winery’s focus on climate action, launching Torres & Earth to reduce carbon emissions and commit to a sustainable future. In 2019, he co-founded the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), an alliance of wineries dedicated to decarbonizing the industry and a partner of the Race to Zero.
MOTIVATION
Reflecting on the family’s heritage, Miguel explains, “With over 150 years of family heritage, I have a deep respect for the land and feel responsible for safeguarding it for future generations. Our motto has always been, ‘The more we care for the earth, the better our wines.’” Inspired by the film An Inconvenient Truth in 2007, he intensified the company’s environmental actions, committing 11% of annual net profits to climate adaptation and emissions reduction.
IMPACTS
Miguel’s commitment has brought significant achievements, pushing Familia Torres to the forefront of sustainability in winemaking. Key milestones include:
Reducing CO₂ emissions by 37% per bottle through efficiency improvements across the entire supply chain, from vineyard to bottle recycling.
Achieving 55% energy self-consumption at the main winery in Penedès through renewable energy investments, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
Producing lightweight bottles, with over 95% of 75cl bottles now weighing less than 420 grams, which minimizes resource use and transportation emissions.
Launching a CO₂ capture and reuse project in 2021 to harness CO₂ from fermentation; although biogenic, this CO₂ is now captured and repurposed to prevent wine oxidation, replacing previously purchased industrial CO₂.
CHALLENGES
Miguel has faced industry skepticism and the pervasive issue of greenwashing, both of which can hinder genuine climate progress. “When I first embarked on this journey, skepticism was a significant barrier; I encountered many who denied the very existence of climate change,” he recalls. As awareness has grown, the challenge has evolved: “Now we need to focus on accelerating climate action with real, tangible measures.” The transition away from fossil fuels has required substantial innovation and investment, but through research and partnerships, Familia Torres is setting new standards in emissions reduction and renewable practices.
GOALS
Miguel’s long-term vision for Familia Torres is to reach net zero emissions by 2040. “This includes expanding regenerative viticulture practices and reforestation projects, intensifying carbon reduction initiatives and the use of renewable energies across all winery operations and promoting the application of solutions throughout the entire value chain,” explains Miguel.
Through IWCA, Miguel hopes to inspire other wineries globally to adopt similar goals, aiming to “set the highest standard for climate action in agriculture and the food industry.” His vision for the future is both personal and professional: “My personal hope is to keep making excellent wine in Spain and to see my grandchildren take the lead in a world without fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.”
MIGUEL’S ADVICE
“Take whatever action you can, no matter how small. Believe in the power of alliances. Vote for the right people who care about future generations.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support Miguel’s mission by:
Businesses and Investors: Partnering with IWCA to support low emissions solutions in the wine industry
NGOs and Policymakers: Advocating for sustainable practices across agriculture
Consumers: Choosing wines from climate-conscious producers
Contact
Website: Familia Torres
Email: info@torres.es
