Appellation of Origin Representatives Drive Environmental Action

Representatives from renowned beverage appellation of origin, including wine, tequila, and champagne, will gather in Guadalajara to address the challenges of environmental sustainability within their productive chains in the face of climate change. The meeting will take place on April 25 and 26 as part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Tequila Appellation of Origin (DOT) Declaration, aimed at facilitating an exchange of experiences among representatives, addressing critical climate issues such as drought and rising temperatures. 

Martín Muñoz, Commissioner, Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), highlighted that producers from around the world, including the Champagne, Cognac, Rioja, Ribera del Duero regions, as well as Colombia (for coffee), will share practices that have proven effective in addressing sustainability challenges. The seminar will also see the participation of international organizations like OriGin, representing major appellations of origin globally, along with the Scotch Whisky Association and representatives from Mexico's 18 appellations of origin.

In 2016, CRT, in collaboration with the Mario Molina Center and the tequila industry, implemented the Sustainability Strategy for the Agave Tequila Productive Chain. This strategy, with goals set for 2025-2030, involves an investment of over US$100 million in projects aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the industry. Initiatives include the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening social programs, waste management, efficient water management, and the use of renewable energies, among other strategies.

Efforts toward energy efficiency and decarbonization have gained prominence, with the CRT advocating for energy transition through solar panel installation and fuel oil substitution with natural gas. Notably, from 2014 to 2020, tequila's carbon footprint was reduced by 6.2%. Moreover, in February 2024, for the second consecutive year, CRT was ratified as the representative of the Board of Associations of the Business Alliance for Climate in Jalisco. The Business Alliance for Climate is a joint effort between the government and the productive sector in climate action and sustainability, aiming to promote leadership and increase ambition toward decarbonizing Jalisco's economy by 2050.

As part of their sustainability efforts, CRT and the Jalisco State government collaborated to create the ARA Certification brand (Agave Environmental Responsibility). The certification guarantees consumers that the tequila they purchase is crafted from agave cultivated in areas untouched by deforestation. This measure has prevented the deforestation of more than 13,000ha of forest in the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato and led to the production of over 1000L of certified tequila. CRT’s goal is to source all agave from non-deforested areas by 2027.

Further supporting environmental conservation, the tequila industry contributed to reforestation efforts with a MX$7 million donation for a nursery producing 50,000 pine and oak plants. In 2023, 64,400 plants were harvested for reforestation.

Celebratory events for the 50th anniversary of the Tequila Appellation of Origin (DOT) Declaration and the 30th anniversary of CRT commenced on April 15th. "To commemorate both dates, at CRT, we decided to celebrate with various activities and with all the people who have contributed from their positions, so Tequila, our first Mexican Appellation of Origin, can be a source of pride and representation for Mexico to the world," emphasized Miguel Ángel Domínguez, President, CRT.