Nestlé Waters UK promotes water stewardship in Buxton on World Water Day 2019, as part of their ‘Caring for Water’ programme.
To celebrate UN World Water Day on March 22nd, Nestlé Waters UK opened its factory doors and welcomed key local stakeholders to discuss the merits of working together for implementing collective water stewardship practices locally. Water scarcity is a global challenge but it requires collaboration and action in the local water catchments by all water users to bring about positive change. Good water stewardship can deliver mutual benefits beyond any single interest. Working together and considering the bigger picture is vital to protecting the local Derbyshire catchments for long-term future sustainability.
Nestlé Waters welcomed a host of attendees with a passionate interest in protecting local water resources, including representatives from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the Peak District National Park Authority, Natural England, as well as other key land management stakeholders. The session provided an opportunity to share knowledge and stimulated interesting discussion about water stewardship and land management, with delegates openly discussing ways in which they could collectively work together to address shared water challenges in the local area.
Robert Marsden, Local Farmer and former CSFO said; “Having worked in the industry for 20 years, I was impressed with the way Nestlé Waters have interacted with land managers at other sites, such as Agrivair in France and Eco-Broye in Switzerland, to protect water quality and effect land use change. Friday’s event sparked some great conversations for future collaborative action here Derbyshire.”
Ben Garstang, Estates Manager at Chatsworth said; “We came along today to hear more about the opportunities for the Estate and our tenant farmers, to find ways to maintain water quality together. Water stewardship is incredibly important to us, and for the wider community, as it not only affects the water we drink but also the water our livestock drink. This is something we need to address collectively and we will look to work with our tenants to determine what possible actions can be put in place.”
Although this event focused on the local Derbyshire area, caring for water through water stewardship is a key focus for Nestlé Waters globally, having recently committed to certifying all of their factories to the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard (AWS) by 2025. The global standard promotes responsible water use that benefits local communities socially and economically, while ensuring environmental sustainability of watersheds – all priorities for Nestlé Waters. To date, 15 sites in 8 countries have been certified according to the AWS standard, and the local Buxton site hopes to achieve certification in 2020.
Matt Ryan, Water Resource Manager at Nestlé Waters UK comments: “Promoting and enhancing water stewardship activities within Buxton and the surrounding area is a key priority for us and so it seemed fitting to host this event on World Water Day. We were delighted to be joined by members of the CLA and experts from the Peak District National Park Authority and Natural England. Shared valuable insights were shared on ways to implement and improve water-friendly land management practices using local case studies to demonstrate the positive impact that can be achieved. We want to play an active role in our local community to help make a positive impact on the water resources we share and we can only do that by actively participating in open, meaningful discussion and collaboration with other water users. I feel we achieved that today.”
Sarah Hendry, Director General at the CLA adds: “I’m delighted the CLA is in Derbyshire on World Water Day discussing water-friendly management practices and the key role that farmers and landowners play in ensuring the safe and secure supply of water.
“Water is vital to all rural stakeholders and it is only by working together that we will be able to meet the challenges of increased demand and climate change on the environment and our water supply.”
Nestlé Waters is a longstanding global supporter of the United Nation’s annual World Water Day initiative, which sees people all over the world taking part in activities promoting the importance of preserving freshwater.
About the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
AWS is a global membership collaboration comprised of businesses, NGOs, public sector offices and sustainability stakeholders. They are the custodians of the International Water Stewardship Standard (‘AWS Standard’), a globally-applicable framework for major water users to understand their water use and impacts, and to work collaboratively and transparently for sustainable water management within a catchment context. Membership of AWS connects and motivates organizations united behind the AWS mission: the responsible use of freshwater that is socially and economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable.
World Water Day
World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. World Water Day dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development where an international observance for water was recommended. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. It has been held annually since then.