AUSTRALIA
New Report Released: The Evolution of Water Stewardship
Australia’s remarkable role in initiating and building a stewardship system for protecting one of the world’s most precious resources, water, has been outlined in this new publication, published by the Australian Water Partnership and launched at SIWI World Water Week in Stockholm in August.
The Evolution of Water Stewardship: An Australian Perspective tells our water stewardship story from a concept catalysed by Australia’s Millennium Drought that developed into a global system embraced by some of the world’s biggest companies. It details how the concerns of a handful of people in Melbourne in 2006 ultimately evolved into the Global Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).
The story includes a surprising rejection of viewing water as a Corporate Social Responsibility issue by the world’s leading alcohol manufacturer and reveals the extensive engagement of Apple in water conservation in China, along with AWS’s contribution to improved water practices in China’s industrial parks. It details the active role the Australian government has taken promoting water stewardship across the Indo-Pacific region. It also profiles the work of water stewards large and small, from global giant Nestlé to Peninsula Fresh Organics, a small organic vegetable farm on the Mornington Peninsula.
Read The Evolution of Water Stewardship: An Australian Perspective
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GLOBAL
Final Public Consultation on AWS Standard Version 2.0
The final public consultation period on AWS Standard v2.0 is now open until 30th September 2018: www.a4ws.org/about/aws-system/.
Draft 2-0 of the revised AWS Standard incorporates feedback received during the previous consultation period on Draft 1-0 of the revised AWS Standard. This round of consultation will focus on identifying any sustained opposition to substantial issues in the revised draft of the AWS Standard. These are issues that, if not resolved, would mean that members may consider voting against adopting the revised AWS Standard at the AWS AGM on 1st November.
In addition, selected guidance material has been drafted to support the consultation on the revised Standard. For more information and to access the revised Standard and guidance material please visit www.a4ws.org/about/aws-system/.
The AWS Technical Committee will consider input at the close of this consultation period and will aim to present a final draft to members at the AGM on November 1st. AWS Asia-Pacific encourages members, partners and interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on Draft 2-0 by September 30th, or contact Megan McLeod for more information about the review and revision process in Asia-Pacific.
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GLOBAL
Collaborate to consolidate and ease compliance costs
AWS Chair Michael Spencer presented at a Combining Forces On Natural Capital workshop in Melbourne recently, organised by local consultancy IDEEA Group on behalf of the UK-based Natural Capital Coalition.
The focus of the workshop was on ‘combining forces’, or how groups working toward improved management of natural capital can become more effective through collaboration and de-cluttering. The workshop recognised that there were different approaches and drivers for management of natural capital by the private sector and public sector and that this could hinder achieving outcomes.
Michael argued strongly that through building more effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, both could work to a form of gain sharing from enhanced management of natural capital in a way that delivered mutually beneficial outcomes. His overriding message was that collaboration and consolidation of natural capital initiatives could ease the compliance burden on business, low compliance costs and help to build the business case for improved management of natural capital and the service nature provides. These themes will be developed in two reports due for release at the AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum scheduled for Edinburgh Scotland on 30 and 31 October.
Michael also recently visited micro-electronics plants in Kunshan near Shanghai that are working toward AWS certification. AWS is expecting at least two plants will be certified this year. Michael, with support from Regional Manager Zhenzhen Xu, is researching attitudes towards AWS certification and issues that affect decisions on certification. Kunshan along with another industrial area near Beijing, Tianjin, have been a focus for AWS work over the past two years with support from the Australian Water Partnership.
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AUSTRALIA
Water, Stewardship & Fashion Supply Chains
The Asia-Pacific region, where the Australian fashion and apparel supply chains begin, is facing growing water stress. China's crackdown on water pollution has also caused major impact to the industry. Water is emerging as a business risk. How secure is your supply chain? How secure is your brand reputation?
The Alliance for Water Stewardship Asia-Pacific is proud to present a dialogue on water, stewardship and fashion supply chains. You will hear first-hand information on China’s environmental enforcement actions, China National Textile & Apparel Council’s efforts in leading the industry’s sustainable transformation, and AWS’s ongoing work with Australian Fashion Council members in mainstreaming water stewardship in the fashion supply chain.
This dialogue brings together fashion industry leaders to share ideas and identify water opportunities to overcome growing scrutiny over the industry's environmental and social performance. It will help shape the second phase of our Australian Water Partnership-supported Indo-Pacific Water Stewardship Program and present the opportunity to become a program partner. Join us for an afternoon of dialogue and drinks! Registration essential.
SYDNEY
8th October, 3pm-5:30pm
https://aws-fashion-sydney.eventbrite.com.au
MELBOURNE
10th October, 3pm-5:30pm
https://aws-fashion-melbourne.eventbrite.com.au
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AUSTRALIA
Water Stewardship at Bimbadeen, Phillip Island
The 340 acre farming property Bimbadeen, located close to the centre of Phillip Island and owned and operated by the Davie family since 1955, was first used for dairying and pig production before beef cattle were introduced in 1968. Bimbadeen has become renowned for its award winning premium quality beef and innovative environmental practices winning awards both at State and National levels.
The Building a Water Stewardship Community in the Western Port Biosphere program is working across the region helping land holders develop water management plans for their properties to save water, nutrients and money as well as protect our natural resources, water supply, water quality and biodiversity of our creeks, wetlands and estuaries.
Learn about and experience the farm, their carbon practices and water management on site. There will be a tour of the site to see some water stewardship actions underway, or planned, and talks by Bob Davie (Bimabdeen) and Lance Lloyd (Western Port Biosphere) on Water Stewardship and Carbon Farming.
PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA
20th September, 1pm-3:30pm
RSVP to Lance Lloyd via lancel@biosphere.org.au
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GLOBAL
AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum 2018
First launched in 2016, the AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum has quickly been recognised as the ‘must attend’ event for the international water stewardship community. Offering a unique space for diverse actors to come together and engage in two days of knowledge sharing, networking and action planning, the AWS Forum will help the stewardship community to advance their impact on the World’s water resources and environments.
Delegates will include businesses facing water-related risks relating to operations, supply chains, local stakeholder groups and end of line consumers; public sector organizations working in water-relevant areas of policy; investors and financial service providers concerned with water-related risk management processes; development agencies and NGOs with water-related programmes and sustainability service providers who support the implementation or assessment of standards and CSR programmes.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
30th-31st October
http://a4ws.org/aws-global-water-stewardship-forum/
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