Gore says wine industry must act on climate change

Speaking via a live video link-up he told attendees the "wine industry must respond to this crisis".

He began by thanking conference organiser Pancho Campo, the president of the Wine Academy of Spain, for his efforts in bringing the issue of climate change to the forefront of the wine industry's consciousness.

Gore stated that while there was still work to be done in convincing some industry members of the seriousness of the issue, the wine trade could be proud of the lead it had taken.

"I wish every industry was doing what the wine industry is doing today," he said.

The former vice-president added: "Some wineries are now deciding to become carbon neutral and are using offsetting to do this."

A number of vineyards are now using safe and carefully prepared bio diesel and geothermal power also, Gore continued.

He concluded that the world needed to implement a global treaty on tackling climate change and it is necessary to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

Campo - who spoke on the first day of the conference - said one of his few regrets was the lack of participation from Spanish winemakers. Just 5% of attendees were from the host country with no delegates hailing from Rioja or Ribera del Duero.