Life cycle environmental impacts of wine grape production in Gansu, China

Abstract Gansu, one of China’s major viniculture regions, is transforming its wine industry to a green production pattern. This study aims to delve into the environmental impacts associated with wine grape production in Gansu using life cycle assessment (LCA). Results show that the impacts of non-renewable energy consumption (NR) and global warming potential (GWP) are higher in the pre-farm stage than those in the on-farm phase. Nitrogen fertilizer (N) production and electricity generation contribute the most in the pre-farm stage, while N2O emission dominates the GWP impact in the on-farm phase. In contrast, the impacts of AP and EP in the on-farm stage are higher than their pre-farm counterparts. Organic fertilizer and N production as well as electricity generation are the main contributors to AP in the pre-farm stage, whereas NH3 emission predominates the on-farm impact category. Pesticide production contributes the most to EP in the pre-farm stage, while emission dominates the on-farm emission. N2O, NH3 and emissions are mainly the result of N application. Technological innovation, policy tools, precise and efficient fertilization, regulated deficit irrigation, alternate drip irrigation are all priorities to mitigate the environmental burden.