Sustainable management of water resources is a key factor for human well-being, food security, healthy ecosystems and economic prosperity. Climate change and biodiversity loss, combined with socio-economic pressures driven by population growth, enhance risks to sustainable supply of natural resources and particularly water. More than 1.7 billion people currently live in communities in river basins that are being depleted by overuse while according to OECD predictions a 40% shortfall in freshwater resources is expected by 2030.
Water management challenges require collaboration, synergies and mobilization of resources. From the corporate sector perspective, water scarcity represents a substantial business risk, also affecting communities where companies operate. In reponse, a number of companies are implementing corporate water replenishment projects, stemming from the need to protect business operations against water scarcity, and a broader commitment to safeguard water resources for society and ecosystems in areas of operation. Collective action can clearly contribute to climate resilient societies and communities' adaptation to changing conditions.
GWP-Med has been working with private, as well as public, entities for more than 16 years in designing, managing and implementing projects on water efficiency and water replenishment throughout the Mediterranean region, through an IWRM and WEFE Nexus lens. With a portfolio that spans from Southeastern Europe to the Middle East and North Africa region, we are implementing innovative technical solutions in collaboration with local authorities customized to specific local needs.
Corporate water replenishment projects are designed in line with the widely accepted Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) method. This method provides a standardised methodology for assessing the benefits of water stewardship activities, guiding towards impactful activities tha benefit societies and ecosystems, and ensuring that results are accurately estimated.
Implementing customised water solutions together with local communities
GWP-Med has an extensive proven track record in designing, managing and implementing water management / efficiency / replenishment projects, funded directly by the private sector (each ranging between 200,000 and 1,200,000 €), based on clear metrics of quantifiable benefits.
Such projects are composed of a number of action lines, including:
- technical interventions, mostly in public spaces,
- stakeholder engagement and capacity building,
- public awareness campaigns and communications,
- school education, etc.
Technical interventions are implemented in close collaboration with local authorities (e.g. local municipality, water management authorities, etc.), which are often the direct beneficiaries of the interventions. Depending on the type of intervention, these may include Nature-based Solutions, and may be combined with energy, agricultural and environmental efficiency considerations in a Nexus approach, in order to facilitate integrated and efficient management of natural resources.
GWP-Med has a long standing collaboration with The Coca-Cola Company, as the key implementing partner of corporate water replenishment projects in Greece, Malta and Cyprus. The Coca-Cola Foundation has been the main funder of these water replenishment projects, which started in 2008.
Find out more about older Corporate Water Replenishment Projects implemented by GWP-Med here.