CSR And Water Conservation

Apple's five-pillar water strategy and supply chain Vs. operations water use. Technology giant Apple has just released its water strategy and approach to water stewardship, including five pillars: ✏️ Low-water design: minimizing water impacts in the design of products, manufacturing processes, Apple-managed services, and sites. 🏭 Site efficiency and conservation: improving performance of existing sites and processes. 🌊 Site water stewardship: demonstrating responsibility beyond its facilities through watershed-level engagement. 🌿 Replenishment and nature-based solutions: improving water availability, quality, and access through regenerative approaches. 🤵 Leadership and advocacy: advancing water management through policy, advocacy, and technology innovation. There's been several discussions on this platform recently about the need for 'big tech' to drive change and stewardship across its supply chain - appreciate the push on this, Scott McCready! Diving into this further in this report, Apple breaks down its water footprint across two areas (direct operations - 1%) Vs (supply chain - 99%), as follows: - Direct operations: data centers, corporate facilities, retail - Supply chain water footprint: materials, modules & components, final assembly. This 1% Vs. 99% is a stark wake-up call on where the major water use occurs. Apple said: "When we begin our business relationship with most suppliers, they’re operating out of existing facilities. In those cases, our ability to influence site selection and design is limited. Our greatest influence in these situations is in design of the manufacturing processes that require water to operate. We focus on introducing new technology to recycle or reclaim process wastewater or new methodologies for treating wastewater." The organisation added that "low water design" means working with its suppliers in the early stages of engineering validation, before manufacturing reaches full production. In theory, this sounds amazing. How does it work out in practice? If a manufacturer in the middle of the supply chain is being pressurised from 'big tech' to improve its water use, is it forced to change if it's not regulated to do so? Should big tech select suppliers that are better water stewards to start with? Thoughts from Will Sarni Rylan Dobson Paul Fleming Alejandro Sturniolo Full link to the water strategy document in the comments 👇 #water #waterstewardship #climate #technology #innovation

We’re on track for a 40% global water shortfall by 2030 according to World Economic Forum, and water scarcity is not just a future problem. It’s already reshaping agriculture in drought-prone regions in the Western U.S., North Africa, southern Asia, and parts of Europe. We face three hard truths: 1. Current irrigation practices are draining groundwater reserves. 2. The only other water source we have—desalination—is expanding, but it’s costly and energy-intensive. 3. We’re running out of time and options. But smart investments now can turn the tide. It starts with a basic economic principle: the efficient use of scarce resources. Traditional flood, furrow, and broadcast sprinkler systems underutilize up to 50% of the water they distribute—eerily close to that projected 40% global water shortfall. Smarter irrigation tools already exist: 📡 Soil moisture sensors 🛰️ Satellite & drone-based monitoring 🌦️ Integrated local weather stations 💧 Precision drip systems 🤖 Smart controllers to make it all work These aren���t just sustainable—they’re profitable. Precision drip irrigation can cut water use by up to 80% compared to traditional methods. Building well-designed water reservoirs further reduces reliance on aquifers by enabling efficient surface water use. Together, these solutions lower water use per kilogram of produce while boosting yields and profits.  #AgTech investments reduce risk, improve yields, and future-proof food systems. And open field applications are just the beginning of what’s possible. Smart greenhouses and other controlled environments can deliver 50–90% greater water savings by minimizing evaporation. I’ll explore that next. But for now, let’s stop wasting water and start investing in conservation. #WaterCrisis #SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #SmartIrrigation #FutureOfFood #SupplyChain

Last week, we released a detailed report chronicling Google's 112 diverse water projects worldwide that hold the potential to replenish over 8 billion gallons annually. How can we best combine learnings from these local initiatives with technologies like AI and precision irrigation to accelerate progress towards water security? This is something I've been thinking about this Earth Month. ICYMI Google is committed to water stewardship, aiming to replenish 120% of the freshwater we consume across our offices and data centers by 2030. This past World Water Day, we shared encouraging progress and highlighted new initiatives focused on the critical nexus of water and agriculture. Here's a snapshot of our global water stewardship efforts: 🟢 We aim to replenish 120% of the freshwater consumed across our operations (offices and data centers, on average) by 2030. 🟢 As of the end of 2024, we are supporting 112 water stewardship projects spread across 68 watersheds globally. 🟢 In 2024 alone, these collective efforts replenished an estimated 4.5 billion gallons of water. 🟢 Once fully implemented, this portfolio of projects has the estimated capacity to replenish over 8 billion gallons annually. Recognizing agriculture's significant water footprint, four of our recently launched partnerships specifically target water management and efficiency in farming communities supplying water to our operational areas. These include: 🔵 Supporting critical water infrastructure for drought-affected smallholder farmers in Chile's Maipo Basin (with Agua Segura & BEF). 🔵 Demonstrating innovative manure drip irrigation to conserve water and protect groundwater in California's dairy industry (with Sustainable Conservation). 🔵 Piloting precision gravity-powered drip irrigation to reduce water demand for rice cultivation in Taiwan (with N-Drip Gravity Micro Irrigation). 🔵 Applying AI-powered tools to help potato farmers in France optimize irrigation, saving water and resources (with xFarm Technologies). These collaborations underscore how targeted investment and technological innovation can support both agricultural livelihoods and water security. You can read more in Google's 2025 Water Stewardship Project Portfolio summary report, and our blogpost here - https://lnkd.in/gFs7wn5k #WaterStewardship #Sustainability #Google #SustainableAgriculture #WaterConservation #TechForGood #Circularity #EarthMonth #WorldWaterDay

Water scarcity affects 2 billion people globally and most of the western US is in dire need of more water - by 2030, demand will outpace supply by 40%. This is exactly why Rain Enhancement Technologies exists. I had an incredible conversation with Juan Costello on The Wall Street Analyzer podcast this week about our mission to tackle one of humanity's most pressing challenges. What gets me excited about leading RET? Our ground-based WETA ionization technology is proving that we can boost rainfall by 15-18% without chemicals, aircraft, or the massive complexity of traditional weather modification. → 16% average rainfall increase (proven in randomized third-party trials)  → Solar-powered & chemical-free (completely environmentally friendly)  → ROI in 6-12 months (cost-efficient compared to desalination)  → 1 WETA covers 360 square miles/230k acres (targeted & scalable impact) But beyond the business metrics, there's something deeper driving our team. When I think about drought-related famine, wildfires spreading due to dry conditions, or communities losing access to clean water - that's what fuels our mission every single day. Juan asked some thoughtful questions about our ionization approach, market opportunities, and what makes our technology different from traditional cloud seeding. If you're interested in learning how we're working to ensure reliable global water access, give it a listen. “Water truly is vital to life, and we believe we have both the technology and responsibility to help.” #WaterSecurity #CleanTech #Innovation

In Bengaluru, software engineer and environmentalist Ganesh Shanbhag has transformed how apartment complexes manage water by championing rainwater harvesting (RWH). His efforts have drastically cut reliance on costly tankers, saved lakhs in water bills, and revived groundwater levels—all without charging a single rupee. Ganesh’s journey began in 2018 when his own apartment borewells dried up, forcing residents to depend on expensive tankers. Refusing to accept this as the norm, he designed an affordable RWH system for his 100-flat community for under ₹3 lakh. Within two months, the community saved ₹2 lakh in water costs and significantly reduced tanker use. How his system works: ✅ Catchment & Collection: Rooftop rainwater flows through PVC gutters into downpipes. ✅ First Flush & Filtration: Initial dirty runoff diverted, then filtered through mesh and disc filters. ✅ Purification: Ozone generators ensure water safety. ✅ Storage & Recharge: Clean water stored in underground tanks; surplus water recharges groundwater. Encouraged by success, Ganesh began helping others—over 300 apartment complexes in Bengaluru now benefit from his guidance. His mission has restored groundwater levels and empowered communities to embrace sustainability. Ganesh also co-founded the Bengaluru chapter of the #ILiveSimply movement and serves on the World of Water Action Forum, driving climate-conscious water initiatives. 💧 A single individual can create a ripple effect for an entire city. #RainwaterHarvesting #WaterWarrior #Bengaluru #SustainableLiving #SaveWater #CommunityPower #ClimateAction #WaterConservation #GreenInitiative #UrbanSustainability #ZeroTankers #GroundwaterRecharge

Bioswales are one of the smartest, most beautiful tools a city can use to manage stormwater sustainably. These planted channels capture and slow runoff, allowing water to infiltrate the soil, filter pollutants, and recharge groundwater, reducing pressure on aging drainage systems and improving water quality. Bioswales also cool surrounding areas through shade and evapotranspiration while adding greenery that enhances the visual appeal of streets, parking lots, and civic spaces. City public works departments can implement a bioswale program by identifying flood-prone corridors, retrofitting rights-of-way, partnering with landscape architects, and using native plants for low-maintenance, climate-resilient design. The result is powerful: infrastructure that performs like engineering but looks like nature, making cities cleaner, cooler, healthier, and more beautiful.

With climate change posing unprecedented global challenges, the Water as Leverage framework provides an excellent way for transformative, inclusive urban water projects. The framework benefits cities in developing sustainable solutions and unlocking otherwise underutilized private-sector financing. The framework applies the eight principles—from fostering inclusivity and scalability to integrating systemic perspectives—and #WaL initiatives could support scaling up water security and innovation where water connects people, economies, and ecosystems. WaL can support and catalyse a global movement in urban water resilience for cities, private investors, and communities alike. Water-related projects often face challenges attracting private sector investors because of perceived risks, high upfront costs, and limited immediate revenue returns. However, the WaL approach offers a compelling framework to mitigate these barriers: Clear Revenue Opportunities: Projects like Demak's mangrove restoration created direct economic benefits—improved aquaculture incomes, ecotourism activities, and carbon trading credit mechanisms—while reducing coastal erosion. By monetizing ecosystem services, these initiatives become attractive to investors. Blended Finance Mechanisms: The WaL framework encourages diverse funding approaches, including grants, public-private partnerships, and innovative tools like green bonds. These mechanisms de-risk projects and make them more appealing to private investors seeking fiscal returns and reputational gains from investing in sustainability. Long-Term Sustainability: Strong emphasis on adaptive operations and maintenance ensures projects remain functional and practical. For example, enhanced flood defences implemented through Rebuild by Design in Lower Manhattan attracted significant private funding due to their meticulous feasibility studies and maintenance protocols. Proof of Concept: Demonstration pilots, such as the Water Balance Pilot in Chennai, prove scalable and replicable solutions that private investors can confidently support. Guideline is here https://lnkd.in/gg2Ej5V9 Sandra Schoof Meike van Ginneken Kotchakorn Voraakhom Wiwandari Handayani Elijah Hutchinson

Hotels are under pressure to do more with less. Rising costs and evolving guest expectations demand smarter resource management to stay competitive. A recent Financial Times article explores how technology is helping the hospitality industry drive efficiency. One standout example: Aimbridge Hospitality. In partnership with Ecolab, Aimbridge Hospitality reduced water and energy use across laundry, dishwashing, and cooling operations—saving 790+ million liters of water and 130 billion BTU of energy, while cutting costs and mitigating risk in water-stressed regions. To help the industry navigate water-related risks, Ecolab collaborated with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and Greenview to launch the Destination Water Risk Index—leveraging insights from the Ecolab Smart Water Navigator to help hospitality leaders integrate water risk into business strategy and future-proof operations. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gYVVdenJ

Amazon plans to use recycled water to cool more than 120 U.S. data centers by 2030, a move the company said will save more than 530 million gallons of freshwater annually. The tech already uses recycled water in about two dozen locations globally. The new investments will be concentrated initially in California, Georgia, Mississippi and Virginia, where local regulations and infrastructure make this possible. As of 2023, 37 states had regulations covering reclaimed water for irrigation and industrial uses. But Amazon's approach is fairly uncommon. The plan to use more recycled water is enabled by its increasing adoption of evaporative cooling systems. Amazon data centers that use this equipment rely on outside air 95 percent of the year to keep computer servers, networking gear and other equipment from overheating. The other critical variable in Amazon’s recycled water expansion plan: finding utilities that already offer recycled water for industrial applications or that are willing to work with Amazon to build that infrastructure.  In Virginia, for example, the company worked closely with Loudoun Water to make this work. More details: https://lnkd.in/edFbDFv9 Will Sarni David Ward Beau S. Will Hewes

Financing #water infrastructure is always complex, imagine in fragile settings! But this week at IMD's Driving Innovative Finance for Impact #DIFIprogram, we dared to do it Here are the transformative water solutions pitched to our expert panel 2: Frederik Teufel Helene Willart Petra Demarin Mike Pfister 🔹 Aden Water System Transformation: In Yemen's largest port city, 1.5 million people lack reliable water access, with a stalled $1B masterplan and 45% water losses. A three-phase approach combines catalytic grants leading to concessional finance for implementation with the support of ICRC's 50+ year presence Goma West 🔹 Goma Resilient Water Services (GRWS): Recurring conflicts and volcanic threats have left 2 million people relying on unsafe water, facing constant disease risks. This projects aims to scale up through innovative blended finance a previous success. The expansion combines World Bank loans, development grants, and private sector participation through Virunga as operator. Seven work packages, from pipeline replacement to capacity building, are designed to create a sustainable water system, serving as a model for fragile settings. 🔹 Uganda Refugee Settlements Water Initiative: In a country hosting 1.7 million refugees, Nakivale and Kyangwali settlements struggle with just 11L of water per person daily—far below the 20L standard. Blended finance mechanisms combining EU/donor grants for feasibility and behavior change, AfDB/World Bank concessional loans for infrastructure, and innovative utility payment models are being explored to transform access for 70,000 households. 🔹 Water at the Heart: South Sudan faces extreme water insecurity, worsened by floods and droughts. A national plan, led by the Ministry of Water in partnership with the Red Cross, aims to change this by strengthening governance, improving borehole infrastructure, and catalyzing blended finance for long-term resilience. With €6.6M secured and an additional €4.4M in soft commitments, this initiative leverages the fact that every $1 invested in WASH generates up to $7 in returns. 🔹 Ghana Urban WASH Project: Low-income communities face significant barriers to water access, despite Ghana Water Ltd. (GWL) having surplus treatment capacity. Affordability and infrastructure limitations have hindered connections in underserved areas. This initiative leverages underutilized water systems, optimizes service delivery, and incorporates social connection funds to ensure affordability and sustained demand. With a projected 1:6 ROI, the approach enhances resilience while making water access financially viable. #Grants alone won’t solve these challenges—#innovativefinance is essential. #WaterSecurity #imdimpact