water stewardship: local actions driving global impact...water stewardship: local actions driving...

Water Stewardship: Local Actions Driving Global Impact

Event Report

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Finnish Permanent Representation to the European Union Brussels, Belgium

The report is based on conference transcripts and speaker presentations.

We would like to thank all speakers and panelists for allowing us to make use of their presentations.

EVENT HOSTED BY SPONSORSHIP BY

Water Stewardship: Local Actions Driving Global Impact Brussels 3 July 2014

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Contents

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2

2 Key Messages ................................................................................................................................................ 3

3 Report from the Event Sessions ..................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Introductory Plenary Session ................................................................................................................ 4

3.2 Plenary Session: Real World Stories from Water Stewards ................................................................... 7

3.3 Panel Session: Bridging Global and Local Perspectives ........................................................................ 11

3.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................................................... 16

3.5 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 17

Annex I: Event Program ....................................................................................................................................... 18

Annex II: Event Participants List ........................................................................................................................... 19


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1 Introduction Water scarcity is a global crisis which demands our immediate attention, but has yet to build the same political case as other critical environmental situations such as climate change. In some ways, this is attributed to the fact that water scarcities are not always visible and apparent on a global scale and are targeted to specific, localized areas of the word. According to the UN, 60% of the world’s freshwater resources are located in 9 countries.

Contributing to this lack of global consciousness is that water has a long history of being devalued and therefore, mismanaged. The rapid exploitation of freshwater sources, groundwater in particular, occurring as a result of this mismanagement has increased the number of water-related conflicts around the world. These stresses are augmented by sharp increases in global population and even further by growing evidence of climate change.

Regions turning to desalination as an alternative for freshwater resources, have come to understand the true costs of water. Estimates indicate that the global water market, including a range of associated products and services from wastewater treatment to pipes, continues to grow, with some industries more affected than others. The link between global water resources and energy production is increasingly important in this regards.

According to a Financial Times article A World Without Water “Since 2011 companies have spent more than $84bn worldwide to improve the way they conserve, manage or obtain water. The reasons for each investment differ. Some are driven by physical water shortages, others by new industrial processes requiring water in greater quantities or of higher quality. Other companies want to show customers they care about water conservation. Some are motivated by new environmental regulations requiring better wastewater treatment.”

As the cost of water increases, the awareness on the importance of mitigating water related risks also grows. Companies are coming to the realization that water risks can directly impact their operations or business costs, but also their credibility with investors and local communities. Investors are pushing companies to improve their reporting and understanding of the risks which could potentially affect business operations, including water scarcities or water-related extreme events.

Responding to these risks, efficiency improvements, combined with partnerships with local communities, businesses and government actors to preserve the water in the river basin is the one certain way to protect the interests of all water users. Water Stewardship is an emerging paradigm which allows companies to respond to these growing challenges to protect corporate and brand reputability. With resources and capacities of local governments falling short, Water Stewardship plays a role in stimulating improvements to river basin management by guiding the appropriate actions needed to effect real change.

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) and European Water Stewardship (EWS) are raising awareness on Water Stewardship while providing water users with response tools to build robust and credible water risk management. In 2014, the AWS officially launched the AWS International Water Stewardship Standard for public use. The EWS standard is in full run, with 146 production sites in diverse sectors implementing the standard in their operations. As part of this Water Stewardship process, partnerships between businesses, communities, NGOs, and public authorities in river basins are spreading across the globe with companies applying EWS and AWS to transform their global vision into local implementation.


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2 Key Messages

Water Stewardship: Local Actions Driving Global Impact showcased the momentum behind Water Stewardship in practice in Europe and globally. Discussions and presentations from the event were evidence of how Water Stewardship guided companies in creating a robust future for their business, ensuring mitigation of all water related risks.

The early adopters of the Water Stewardship approach presented success stories emphasizing clear benefits of Water Stewardship for business, communities, and nature. The event also illustrated the links between the global and regional Water Stewardship initiatives as well as the synergy of Water Stewardship with other environmental initiatives. Key messages that came out of the event are highlighted following.

Water Stewardship creates a business case for companies by:

Allowing global companies to address local water challenges with different characteristics and drivers throughout their supply chain. The flexibility of an approach like Water Stewardship stems from targeting local issues with site specific solutions. Furthermore, Water Stewardship incorporates requirements of local legislation while enabling additional voluntary actions that go beyond legal compliance.

Providing effective, implementable tools for long term risk management, such as regional and global options for Water Stewardship certification and application that helps manage water risks or communicate achievements. These integrated tools guide water users to ensure the quality of the brand’s product and business robustness by focusing on the highest and most significant water risks.

Encouraging broad cooperation and public participation to find commonly shared goals in improving water management. Partnerships in shared river basins can support the use of water resources in a sustainable way for the future.

For Water Stewardship to tackle significant water challenges we face both globally and locally, it requires that :

Water users collaborate on how they can minimize their impacts to water resources, it being especially important for the business sector to step in. This collaboration provides a platform to share on the best practices to avoid water contamination and minimizing impacts, stimulating the dissemination of knowledge of best management practices within the sector.

Corporate water use reduction targets reflect local conditions. Looking beyond its gates at the potential to influence the environment downstream and its role in the wider community, corporate production needs can be adapted to the local conditions. Only by considering the local context and challenges of water use will a company develop a truly competitive business model.

In order to drive the critical mass needed for Water Stewardship, we need:

Responsible parties and tools in place to ensure that those that are doing Water Stewardship are doing it well. AWS and EWS are frameworks which can assist any water user to begin the process of Water Stewardship.

Alignment between Water Stewardship with other environmental initiatives to bring synergy and combine efforts to achieve sustainable resource management. By drawing parallels between Water Stewardship assessments such as the EWS and AWS standards, with the CDP Water Report and GRI Reporting ensures that companies don’t have to repeat work already completed.

Address the existing gap in water governance with strong and efficient policies in place to accelerate action within the business community. Water Stewardship requires businesses to become more engaged in water governance, as a central element to carrying out water management improvement measures on the ground. There is a clear business case for companies to get involved in policy development which potentially impacts their operations.


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3 Report from the Event Sessions

3.1 Introductory Plenary Session

The first plenary session was opened by Ms. Angeles Blanco (Professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, EWP Board Member and EWS Steering Committee member) introducing the work of EWS and the roll out of Water Stewardship in Europe. A welcome speech from Mr. Mikael Långström (Deputy Head of Mission of Finland to the EU) delved into some examples of local water challenges that Member States face.

The introductory presentation from Nicola Notaro (Deputy Head of Unit, DG Environment at the European Commission) touched on the water policy background within Europe and the manner in which Water Stewardship can support these goals. The final keynote presentation from Adrian Sym (Executive Director, Alliance for Water Stewardship-AWS) shared learning experiences raised by implementing Water Stewardship within the global Water Stewardship system, AWS, and highlighted the role for regional initiatives like EWS in adapting the global standard to regional context.

3.1.1 Welcome Speech (Angeles Blanco. Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

“All around Europe we are bringing more Water Stewards into the fold, companies which have come into the EWS network within the last 12 months has been significant with over 100 production sites implementing the EWS standard in their operations.”

Angeles Blanco introduced the EWS and highlighted ways for water users to increase their knowledge on their water impacts. Implementing a Water Stewardship standard is a direct way for water users to become more sustainable water managers and to mitigate business and water-related risks while collaborating in or establishing river basin leadership according to the European Water Framework Directive. Water users can shape the roll out Water Stewardship in Europe by joining its member base or enhance their capacities responding to water challenges with tailored Water Stewardship trainings.

Ms. Blanco highlighted the extent to which these activities are currently ongoing within Europe, demonstrating a widespread network of committed companies, organizations, and individuals. To ensure the integrity of Water Stewardship EWS has developed a train the trainers’ platform to prepare a qualified body of Water Stewardship experts.

There have been several key milestones in 2013-2014 which have supported Water Stewardship in gaining ground. Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Belgium and Germany are amongst the first member states in Europe to have a EWS certified site. Sector-specific reports, such as the CDP Global Water Report for investors or the SAI Platform Report for the agriculture sector continue to build the case for Water Stewardship focused on the various opportunities for different audiences

The global Water Stewardship representative, AWS has also reached significant milestones this year with the launch of the AWS International Water Stewardship Standard. Following the launch, the two representatives reconfirmed their partnership and EWS as the regional presentation of AWS in Europe. Ms. Blanco welcomes the opportunity to honor the hard work of those 146 sites who have invested time and energy into becoming water stewards.

Angeles Blanco, Universidad Complutense

de Madrid


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3.1.2 Water Challenges in the Regional Context: Finland Mikael Långström (Mission of Finland to the EU)

“Because of its geographical location, Finland is susceptible to specific (water-related) threats, particularly regarding climate change and eutrophication.”

Mr. Långström welcomed the audience in his opening speech on behalf of the event host, Team Finland. He exemplified the manner in which geographical location impacts water challenges at hand. In a country where 10% of the national territory is covered by water, water shortages are not the most obvious area of concern. Rather, shallow waterbodies are vulnerable to eutrophication and require careful protection against harmful substances and hydromorphological changes.

The use and protection of the Baltic Sea against excessive nutrient loads and the effects of maritime traffic is of critical concern for citizens, organizations, and government actors. Broad cooperation and public participation in efforts to improve the quality of the Baltic Sea is exemplary of how partners in

shared river basins can support the management and use of the transboundary river basins in a sustainable way. With over, 250 companies and research institutes active in water and wastewater, Finnish public and private actors are encouraged to participate in global water governance within the framework of an international strategy for the water sector to increase international cooperation. Mr. Långström closed his speech, wishing the participants a “refreshing and rewarding day discussing water together.

Mikael Långström, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Finland in Belgium

3.1.3 Water Stewardship Supporting Policy Objectives Nicola Notaro (DG Environment at the European Commission)

“Business is a central element to making sustainable water management happen on the ground.”


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European Commission representative, Nicola Notaro, set the stage for the water policy in the EU by giving participants a background of recent EU water policy developments. EU’s overarching water legislation, the Water Framework Directive (WFD), addresses the topic of failing water status by requiring an integrated approach through effective river basin management planning and water protection measures from member states. It also specifically addresses chemical water status through the Priority Substances Directive and aims at preventing pollution and reducing the water treatment necessary to comply with the standards of the Drinking Water Directive.

The EU Commission’s Communication on the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources reported on the status of WFD implementation while outlining a number of concrete tools to reach sustainable water management. Water Stewardship was amongst the number of actions recommended to achieve these goals. The WFD Common Implementation Strategy with Member States and stakeholders develops concrete deliverables according to the recommendations of the Blueprint. This strategy promotes the consistent development and application of the River Basin Management Plans by the Member States to ensure the WFD objectives are met in a consistent manner throughout the EU.

3.1.4 Benefit of Water Stewardship Globally and in Europe Adrian Sym (Alliance for Water Stewardship-AWS)

“Private actions and engaging with key stakeholders in the watershed and supply chain contributes to long-term improvements to water management.”

Director of the Alliance for Water Stewardship, Adrian Sym, moved into the broader scope of water challenges on a global level. He gave the analogy of local challenges occurring on a global level as “multi-local crisis” referring to crisis with different characteristics and different drivers, which in turn require context specific solutions. Global corporates such as BASF, Nestlé, and General Mills are examples of companies faced with these multi-local crises who are turning to Water Stewardship to address potential production related risks and impacts to their supply chain.

Beyond increasing awareness to water challenges, Water Stewardship provides water users a platform for interaction and dialogue with other water users in the river basin that can contribute to improvements in water management at local level. Based on the experiences of companies working with Water Stewardship and AWS globally, the role of private actors in forming these partnerships is even more apparent from a global outlook. Mapping the companies using the AWS standard in countries around the globe, from retailers in South Africa and Peru, dairies in Australia, consultancies in India, and water service providers in China; the sectorial and geographical diversity and wide applicability of Water Stewardship becomes even more apparent.

Nicola Notaro, Deputy Head of Unit, DG

Environment at the European Commission


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Adrian Sym, Executive Director, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)

3.2 Plenary Session: Real World Stories from Water Stewards

This session was evidence of Water Stewardship experiences, reflecting on the realities of the approach; both the benefits and challenges faced by the sector or region, as well as the lessons learned.

Moderated by Angeles Blanco from Universidad de Complutense, the session was composed of four presentations representing the Water Stewardship approach in the chemical, beverage, paper, and water service provider sectors. Speakers gave concrete examples on where Water Stewardship helped them prepare for existing water or business risks and in some cases, to solve critical issues.

3.2.1 Jean-Charles Bocquet (European Crop Protection Association -ECPA)

“ECPA sees (water stewardship activities) as an opportunity to close the gap between its own actions and public perception of the sector, while creating clear benefits for members to minimize their impact on water resources”.

Executive Director of ECPA Mr. Bocquet’s presentation reflected that, though the exhaustive and thorough nature of implementing Water Stewardship can be challenging for some companies, the approach is also entirely feasible and provides very useful outcomes. From the perspective of an association whose members are undertaking Water Stewardship collectively, Water Stewardship allows ECPA members to address concerns related to water quality and water quantity; concerns which are also relevant to biodiversity and the quality of work environment for farmers.

With 5 out of its 20 members engaged in on-site assessment with the EWS standard, members are collaborating on how they can minimize their impacts to water resources. By collaborating with initiatives such as EWS, the association is stimulating the dissemination of

Jean-Charles Bocquet, Director General, European

Crop Protection Association (ECPA)


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knowledge of best management practices within the sector and its users. Actors from the manufacturing side of member companies working together to monitor water quality on-site leads to interaction with stakeholders and creates an opportunity for dialogue. One clear next step for the association is to continue to explore how EWS might be implemented, not only in its industrial production sites, but also how the Water Stewardship concept might apply within agriculture.

3.2.2 Jean Louis Cornet (Chaudfontaine)

“Water risk management at Chaudfontaine stems the protection of its wells.”

Plant production manager of Chaudfontaine, the first Water Stewardship certified mineral water bottler, Mr. Cornet, shared how the natural characteristics of Chaudfontaine, as confined groundwater with a very deep underground source, requires careful management to ensure the quality of the brand’s product and longevity of business. The EWS certificate has been a useful way to promote the commitment to protecting that source as seen in recent video commercials.

Diminishing the water used per liter of product via water efficiency measures is one of the company’s top priorities. By installing top of the line bottle washers, conveyers and closely monitoring pumping levels the plant has managed to reduce the liter of rejected water per liter produced by 2.59 liters over the past 7 years. The plant has had numerous opportunities to explore the link with other natural resources, such as energy. Installing more efficient production lines and lighting systems and using heat recovery of the mineral water and thermal energy directly from the well, has improved the overall energy consumption in the plant.

Chaudfontaine is also exemplary of the manner in which river basin partnerships address commonly shared goals, in this case the preservation of the water source and its surrounding catchment. Chaudfontaine has worked with the local community members and authorities in order to ensure that 250 homes in the area have been secured against any possible tank spillages which could affect the pristine groundwater. Mr. Cornet recognized that it is in the best interest of the Chaudfontaine to lead the river basin in protecting the water source for the future.

Jean Louis Cornet, Plant Director, Chaudfontaine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tpI37Mws8


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3.2.3 Ola Svending (Stora Enso)

“We need a global strategy for local management.”

Mr. Svending, shared experiences from the paper sector on water management. As a company with a global supply chain with over 28,000 employees worldwide and operation in Europe, Latin America and Asia the priority has always been to “think globally, act locally”. Corporate production needs are adapted to meet the local conditions in areas of operation. In water scarce Barcelona, Spain the company produces recycled fibre board while production of virgin fibre board is typically located in water rich areas in e.g. Sweden. The company has also set up its plantations and pulp mills in rural, water rich areas of the world e.g. in China.

Stora Enso has participated in numerous water management assessments over the past five years and explored the challenges and benefits of each. The WWF/DEG Water Risk Filter, for example, was useful as a general tool specific for the industry in order to identify risks. Additionally working with the CEO Water Mandate allowed the company to realize the water shortage that can occur in dry times of the year, even in areas with high precipitation rate. As mitigation strategies, the company purifies waste water which can be recharged into surface waters and reduces water consumption in dry areas. Stora Enso perceives Water Stewardship to bring all these elements of assessment together while allowing the company to develop a competitive business model, transformating it from a European pulp and paper company to a ”value creating, growth markets renewable materials company”.

Ola Svending, Environmental Affairs Manager, Stora Enso


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3.2.4 Pete Saunders (Thames Water Commercial Services Limited)

“Water Stewardship is alternative to more expensive approaches.”

Thames Water Utilities provides water and wastewater services to one of the world’s busiest cities, supplying 2,600 million litres of tap water and treating 4 billion litres of sewage daily. Water utilities face a distinct set of water management challenges. Additionally, as some regions are designated as ‘seriously water stressed’, there are clear needs to reduce water consumption to meet increasing demand and protect environmental values. Responding to this challenge, annual targets are set and met through water efficiency programmes. The concept of Water Stewardship raises fundamental questions of how to educate

customers to reduce the volume of water consumption.

The English water companies are also changing in anticipation of changes to the water industry following a newly passed Water Bill. As of 2017, business customers across England will be free to choose their water and wastewater retailer. In this regards, water stewardship is also an approach to addressing potential future competition in the sectors, with work programmes built around the concept. With water sustainability awareness slowly growing within the community, there are new water performance metrics for universities and active water efficiency departments in all water and sewerage companies. The frontrunners in Water Stewardship are well on their way creating more water stewards is central to secure important resources for the future.

Pete Saunders, Technical Services Manager, Thames Water Commercial Services Limited


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3.3 Panel Session: Bridging Global and Local Perspectives

Is it realistic to expect Water Stewardship to tackle significant water challenges we face both globally and locally?

The aim of this session was to share benefits of Water Stewardship, and observations and knowledge on its implementation. Additionally, the panel explored what needs to happen to ensure water stewardship drives local results and global impact in the future.

The session was organized in a panel format and was moderated by Raymond van Ermen (Executive Director, European Partners for the Environment). Panelists from business, NGOs, the European Commission and investor and business focused organizations introduced themselves via a short power statement on their experiences with Water Stewardship and their reflections on its importance. The moderator then posed key questions to the panelists and opened the floor to the audience for a short question and answer session.

Key points from this session were:

For a company to respond to their most significant risks they must align their water goals with local situations.

Water Stewardship promotes voluntary action and acts as a trigger for action by private sector to improve water management performance.

For companies seeking to address challenges and risks associated with water, AWS and EWS are integrated tools available to water users to begin the process of Water Stewardship.

There is a clear business case for companies to get involved in policy development which potentially impacts their operations.

From left to right:

Claire Bramley (WWF-UK), Nicola Notaro ( DG Environment at the European Commission), Eerik Schipper (Control Union Certifications), Cate Lamb (CDP), Brigitte Dittrich-Kraemer (BASF S.E.), Joppe Cramwinckel (World Business Council for

Sustainable Development -WBCSD)


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3.3.1 Cate Lamb (CDP)

During the last year we’ve seen the term “Water Stewardship” come up everywhere-how can we ensure that the concept remains genuine and the term isn’t being abused by companies “doing business as usual?

Responding to interest in the investor community for reliable information on companies’ security against water risks, CDP acknowledges that conventional approaches to water management are not effective in addressing global water crisis. Stemming from the Global Water Report, which presents the analysis of global 500 company responses to CDP’s water information request where companies are asked to report on their water risks, Ms. Lamb stated that “almost 60% of Global 500 companies using CDP to guide their response to water challenges have already experienced water-related detrimental business impacts such as supply chain disruption, brand damage, or operational delays. Water Stewardship is becoming increasingly recognized by our investors as a means to confidently manage local water challenges and mitigate substantive business risks”.

In addressing the legitimacy of the term ‘Water Stewardship’ Ms. Lamb noted that that we are witnessing a mixed response from corporations, reflecting the significant confusion in the market place regarding how to respond to water challenges in a meaningful manner. To address this, in 2015, CDP will introduce corporate water scoring with the aim of driving greater transparency and more effective corporate water stewardship action. The results will reward companies taking a more holistic view of their water challenges at a river basin level thereby encouraging companies to play their part as a critical actor in the management and protection of water resources at this level.

Cate Lamb, Head of Water at CDP


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3.3.2 Claire Bramley (WWF-UK)

What is needed to stimulate/encourage broader uptake of Water Stewardship?

WWF-UK is a long-standing champion of Water Stewardship as the approach which will bring the needed stakeholders in the water management. Introducing WWF’s work on Water Stewardship, a short video depicted its collaboration with several partners to develop water stewardship within their fruit supply chain in South Africa. As Marks & Spencer representative commented, using the WWF Water Risk Tool, allows companies to identify where the highest and most significant risks to target those areas of production.

“With Water Stewardship”, Ms. Brambly commented, “corporates are demonstrating how they can be part of the solution to ensure water is managed sustainably”. Further to this, the approach encourages water users to become involved by looking at the water-related issues in the catchment with other stakeholders in the catchment. As we all have a duty to save water and use water in a responsible manner, and important step is to provide water users with the tools they need.

3.3.3 Brigitte Dittrich-Kraemer (BASF SE)

Will companies move to other locations when the risk and complexity get too hot, will investors drive them away to less risky areas, or will they stay and try to solve the problem? Which represents Water Stewardship?

Industrial sectors are often accustomed to managing complexities, which in some cases may result in higher costs and higher risks. BASF faces the question of how to best manage those risks. With water as a central resource for the chemical industry, and crucial for business, BASF implemented the EWS standard as a means to become engaged in Water Stewardship. BASF voluntarily set the goal to introduce sustainable water management at all of its production sites located in water stressed areas by 2020.

This approach motivated BASF to look beyond its gates at its potential influence to the environment downstream and its role in the wider community. With some additional work to bring all these elements together, BASF’s production site in Tarragona, Spain became the first to receive Water Stewardship certification and more recently the production site in Ludwigshafen has been awarded gold-level certification. BASF has integrated water criteria into investment decision-making processes as well as those assessing capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. This enable decisions which are based on a comprehensive evaluation of the risks and opportunities related to water.

Claire Bramley, Water Stewardship Manager,

WWF-UK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVGjkpLb1Ss


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Brigitte Dittrich-Kraemer, Senior Sustainability Manager, BASF SE

3.3.4 Eerik Schipper (Control Union Certifications)

During the last year we’ve seen the term “Water Stewardship” come up everywhere-how can we ensure that the concept remains genuine and the term isn’t being abused by companies “doing business as usual?

For Mr. Schipper, representative of Certification Body, Control Union Certifications, with more than 200 different certification programs as part of its portfolio, the companies’ interest to include Water Stewardship certification stems from the awareness that companies often need a trigger in order to improve management performance. In the case of Water Stewardship certification, these companies are representative of water users who are well-aware of their risks and with the information in place to inform the auditors on their water use. In some cases these companies have already navigated their water related risks as well, and certification is merely a validation of the work done by an independent third party like Control Union improving credibility. In other cases, certification is a valuable tool to improve the companies’ performances technically and economically.

In this regards, Water Stewardship certification is a clear option for companies who wish to communicate their work on water and like to demonstrate their Corporate Social Responsibility. A third party verification of water management performance is an added security not only internally, but also for investors, public authorities and the local community. It is added assurance that all measures are in place to ensure the company’s contribution to a sustainable future for the river basin

Eerik Schipper, Deputy Director, Control Union

Certification


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3.3.5 Joppe Cramwinckel (World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Under Water Stewardship, we see different sectors coming together to collaborate on water management-from policymakers and local community-to NGOs and businesses? What is the value of this collaboration? Why not go on a Water Stewardship on your own? Is Water Stewardship replacing regulation?

WBSDC, which guides companies on specific sustainability topics, has defined 6 areas on water management where companies take action. These actions include: 1) Building up natural infrastructure 2) Accelerating water re-use/recycling in business operations 3) Improving access to water and sanitation 4) Decreasing the impact of agriculture on water resources and 5) Strengthening the energy and water links in resource management to build resilience to climate change. Linking all these actions is 6) The need for collaboration.

Reflecting on collaboration which occurs under Water Stewardship, it is especially important for the business sector to get involved. Encouraging this collaboration has the added benefit of making knowledge about innovative water management strategies, including tools such as EWS, more widespread. It is important to note, however, that Water Stewardship alone cannot replace water legislation entirely. There is still a gap in water governance which needs strong and efficient policies in place to accelerate action within the business community.

3.3.6 Nicola Notaro (DG Environment at the European Commission)

Given how important these collaborations have become and the clear need for private sector engagement in water management and governance to tackle shared water risks, do we run the risk of giving too much power to corporations? Do companies really have an interest in robust water governance and sustainable water management, apart from the public relations game. What is the role of governments, NGOs, and public authorities?

In his introductory speech, Mr. Notaro expressed his view that, in relation to the need for water protection, Water Stewardship is complementary to the EU policy objectives, particularly in terms of stakeholder involvement. Ongoing initiatives for specific elements of the Water Framework Directive, from guidance on environmental flows to best management practices on leakages and guidance on cost recovery, are all developed with stakeholders' involvement. Additionally, with member states working on updates to their River Basin Management Plans by 2015, and a new EU proposal for water reuse in sight, the public will have the opportunity to participate in consultations at Member States and EU level on policy developments that could have an impact on them.

For the Water Stewardship to truly function as it should, actors need to become more engaged in water policy and exploit the possibilities offered by public consultations. There is a clear business case for companies to get involved in policy development and implementation which potentially impacts their operations. In this sense, Water Stewardship can offer a win win-in between environmental objectives and economic benefits.

Joppe Cramwinckel, Director of Water Programme,

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)


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Nicola Notaro, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Environment at the European Commission

3.4 Discussion

Participants of the Breakout session discuss their chosen topic. Moderators of the Breakout session report on the conclusions

of group discussions.

Aim: The Discussion Session allowed the event participants the opportunity to present their final questions and concerns directly to the panel. Questions and comments from the audience raised points on:

What is the role Water Stewardship in strengthening water governance?

The response from the panel was that dialogue between water users in a shared river basin is essential for Water Stewardship. This is the primary difference between Water Stewardship and other approaches is bringing actors together for open and honest interaction on how to approach water management in the river basin. In this way, Water Stewardship also strengthens local, regional and international water governance. Resource constraints often limits the capacities of government bodies to affect the change necessary and private actors engaging in water management can help fill this gap.

When considering approaches to Water Stewardship, certification may be valuable for some companies. However, it may not be the most viable option for all, thus what additional measures are out there?


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Alignment between existing assessments, like that of the Water Risk Filter of WWF or the Water Report of CDP is a particular priority of all involved to ensure that there are easy links between different initiatives. Thus work that is done for one type of assessment need not be repeated for another. Ms. Lamb from CDP responded that the company has already asked water-using companies what are their other activities on water. For BASF, Ms. Dittrich-Kraemer mentioned that there are clear benefits for participating in such assessments and these benefits are a motivating factor.

The discussion raised some key points about what some of the barriers to implementing Water Stewardship could be. For one, developing company language is an essential aspect to creating added benefits. It was also pointed out that establishing an element of privacy for information from water users so that it isn’t made public is also a high point of concern.

3.5 Conclusions

The aim of this session was to summarize the outcomes and provide an outlook for Water Stewardship going forward. Moderator Raymond van Ermen gave some key words illustrating the key conclusions:

Water Stewardship is a new Business Model that helps water users address their challenges and risks and is ripe to move into the spotlight.

Water Stewardship gives companies a license to operate while creating sector leaders in water management.

Now that there is broad recognition that Water Stewardship is implementable and feasible, the next success will be to present a mapping involving all those implementing Water Stewardship.

In conclusion, the business case for action is therefore clear; companies that transform their business and work to safeguard valuable water resources, have the potential for both short and long term cost savings, sustainable revenue generation and a more resilient future.

Raymond Van Ermen, Executive Director,European

Partners for the Environment (EPE)


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Annex I: Event Program

Water Stewardship: Local Actions Driving Global Impact

Event Program

3 July 2014, 14:00-17:00

13:30-14:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee

14:00-14:30 First Plenary Session

Welcome Speech

Thomas Vereijken, Chairman of European Water Partnership

Water Challenges in the Regional Context: Finland Mikael Långström, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Finland in Belgium

Water Stewardship Supporting Policy Objectives Nicola Notaro, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Environment at the European Commission

Benefit of Water Stewardship Globally and in Europe Adrian Sym, Executive Director, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)

14:30-15:30 Second Plenary Session: Real World Stories from Water Stewards

Jean-Charles Bocquet, Director General, European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) Jean Louis Cornet, Plant Director, Chaudfontaine Ola Svending, Environmental Affairs Manager, Stora Enso Pete Saunders, Technical Services Manager, Thames Water Commercial Services Limited

15:30-16:30 Panel Session: Bridging Global and Local Perspectives

Cate Lamb, Head of Water at CDP Claire Bramley, Water Stewardship Manager, WWF-UK Brigitte Dittrich-Kraemer, Senior Sustainability Manager, BASF SE Eerik Schipper, Deputy Director, Control Union Certifications Joppe Cramwinckel, Director of Water Programme, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Nicola Notaro, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Environment at the European Commission

*Moderated by Raymond Van Ermen, European Partners for the Environment (EPE)

Discussion

16:30-17:00 The Way Ahead with Water Stewardship

Thomas Vereijken, Chairman of European Water Partnership

17:00-18:30 Reception & Networking Drink


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Annex II: Event Participants List Water Stewardship: Local Actions Driving Global Impact First Name Last Name Organization

Adrian Sym AWS

Alain Maasri GNF

Alice Bouman-Detener Women for Water Partnership

Andrea Stoegbauer BASF

Andreea Cuciureanu CEFIC

Angeles Blanco Universidad Complutense

Angelika Żołnierczuk POMORSKIE EU Regional Office

Annika Ansonen EPC

Anouchka Hanssens EWP

Arne Braems Colruyt Group

Axel Assaraf Consultant

Bengt Davidsson CEPI

Bengt Hansen Kemira

Bert Boer University of Twente

Brigitte Dittrich-Kraemer BASF

Cate Lamb CDP

Christina von Westernhagen The Dow Chemical Company

Christoph Reissfelder HeidelbergCement

Chrystelle Damar ACI

Claire Bramley WWF-UK

Cristina Backes GIZ

Cristina Brabyn EWP

Damien Valour InVivo

David Carpintero MONSANTO EUROPE SA

David Simon Santinan Bell Pottinger


20

First Name Last Name Organization

Durk Krol WssTP

Eerik Schipper Control Union Certifications

Emma Bailey ELO

Fayemi Pierre-Emmanuel AIM Innovation

Fiona Todd Zenith International

Frank Wegener Kemira

Gérard Deshours La Poste

Giancarlo Gusmaroli CIRF

Guy Buysse TÜV NORD INTEGRA

Heli Pietila Finnish Permanent Rep.

James Leten Stockholm International Water Institute

Jan Bondaruk GIG

Jean Charles Bocquet ECPA

Jean Louis Cornet Chaudfontaine

Jean-Christophe Ades Kemira

Jean-Michel Richez GDF SUEZ Energy & Environment

Johanna Paljakka Finland's Permanent Representation to the European Union

Joppe Cramwinckel WBCSD

Jori Ringman CEPI

Kai Pitkänen Leogenus bvba

Karolina Kisiel Pomorskie Regional EU Office

Ken Platteau Arcadis Belgium

Klaus Stadler Coca Cola Company

Kublcock Nicola BDAS

Lisa Struebbe EWP

Marcia Rocha


21


Maria Valle EWP

Marie-Thérése Nolf CVLT

Mariette Colinet Private Contractor

Marika Paavilainen Finland's Permanent Representation to the European Union

Martin Vosberg Water Witness

Mikael Långström Embassy of Finland

Mikael Långström Embassy of Finland in Belgium

Miriam Feilberg Danish Water Forum

Murray Biedler Corporation Blue

Nicola Notaro EC Commission

Nina Zeindlmeier Europabüro der bayerischen Kommunen

Ola Svending Stora Enso

Patrizia Trivulzio European Commission

Peltonen Tytti Metsa Group

Pete Saunders Thames Water Commercial Services Ltd.

Raffaelle Colombo CDP

Rainer Bahneman ECPA

Ralph Handstanger SABIC-Europe

Raymond van Buren EPE

Riikka Timonen Kemira Oyj

Rony Mertens Freelance Press

Saara Harjua Finland's Permanent Representation to the European Union

Sabine von Wirén Lehr EWP

Salwa El sadik Mergni Abdulah Wadi Organisation


22


Sandie Boudet Copa-Cogeca

Sergiy Moroz EWP

Stuart Rutherford ECPA

Susanna Heinäsmäki Finland's Permanent Representation to the European Union

Szalai Sándor Szent Istvan University, Hungary

Tania Runge Copa-Cogeca

Thomas Engelke Hanse-Office

Vesa Puoskari Editio

Volker Laabs BASF SA

Wilfried Platteau Vincotte

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