Aqua Positive

Last week, our CEO Esther Gonzalez attended the "Inspirados pelo Futuro" event at Águas do Tejo Atlântico in Lisbon, Portugal, and we felt it was important to clarify and share insights on a topic that often causes confusion. A recurring theme we've noticed is that many companies in the water #purification market (Water Benefits Developers) assume they are already water positive simply by being part of the process of generating a positive impact on water resources. We wanted to clarify the following: A company can claim to be #waterpositive when it generates a net positive impact on water resources, exceeding the amount of water it consumes. This claim is based on the principle of creating a surplus benefit compared to a reference scenario, known as a baseline. Our full article dives deeper into what it really means to be water positive, highlighting the key principles of intentionality, additionality, and permanence, along with the importance of third-party verification. From the corporate perspective, as water benefits purchasers, this concept is well understood and plays a crucial role in ensuring meaningful contributions to #waterstewardship.

Desalination Will Only Cover 12% of Water Cuts in the Segura Basin, Farmers Warn The Tajo-Segura Water Transfer remains a critical topic as the Segura Basin faces significant water reductions by 2027 under Spain’s hydrological plans. According to the Farmers' Union, desalination will provide only 38 out of the 318 cubic hectometers needed, representing a mere 12% of the shortfall. A great example of how desalination, when there is no other option for a #renewable #water source, becomes the most effective way to generate a positive impact on water resources—providing fresh, new water, #waterpositive. This achievement is the result of years of innovation, technological advancements, and the commitment to addressing water scarcity in #sustainable ways. Lucas Jiménez, president of the Farmers' Union, warns that these reductions could lead to the loss of nearly 50% of underground water resources and jeopardize agricultural livelihoods. The Union is preparing legal action against the government's hydrological planning, highlighting the need for more balanced and interconnected water management strategies. https://bit.ly/4ai0Fp7

🌍 Sustainability Expectations for 2025: An Integrated Analysis 🌱 2025 will be shaped by complex and disruptive forces influencing sustainability. These challenges are significant, but they also open opportunities to transform sustainability models for a better future: 🔹 Donald Trump’s influence may continue to polarize the global climate agenda. His potential policies could hinder agreements like the Paris Accord, but they also reinforce the need for strong leadership in sustainability and climate activism. Trump, along with other leaders who echo his rhetoric, undermines the credibility of the clear and necessary path forward. This not only weakens global efforts but also discourages industry from investing in non-mandatory sustainability initiatives, further delaying critical progress. 🔹 Fake news continues to erode trust in sustainability efforts. Yet, this challenge is driving the adoption of tools like blockchain to ensure transparency, verify commitments, and combat greenwashing, strengthening public and corporate trust. 🔹 Digitalization is revolutionizing how we measure and communicate environmental impacts. Tools like blockchain allow for precise supply chain tracking and validation of sustainable efforts, ensuring climate promises translate into tangible results. 🔹 The climate crisis remains central to sustainability. The crossing of five out of nine planetary boundaries—like biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and land use changes—signals the urgency for immediate action to protect ecosystems and ensure stability. 🔹 #Water is becoming a pivotal resource for #sustainability and climate adaptation. With 10% of the global population experiencing water stress and increasing pressure on freshwater ecosystems, 2025 must focus on implementing stronger water policies and innovative frameworks, such as the monetization of volumetric water benefits, akin to carbon markets. Since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) in 2015, it was only during the United Nations Water meeting in New York in 2023—halfway to the SDG deadline—that it became evident water still does not hold the central position it deserves in global agendas. Fortunately, the private sector has stepped up to provide the leadership that governments have struggled to deliver. 💡 2025: Turning challenges into opportunities From leveraging technology to fostering collaboration across sectors, the road ahead offers unique opportunities to balance economic growth with #environmental responsibility. Immediate and strategic action is essential to mitigate cascading environmental effects and build resilience for future generations. ✨ Let’s seize the moment to redefine sustainability and secure a better future for all.

🌍 The EU’s “Omnibus” Legislation: Simplification or a Step Backward? 🌍 The European Commission has announced its intention to introduce an “Omnibus” legislative package aimed at simplifying the European Union’s sustainable finance framework. This initiative would revise three cornerstone regulations: 1️⃣ The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (#CSRD) – requiring businesses to disclose on a wide range of sustainability topics. 2️⃣ The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CS3D) – mandating businesses to manage risks and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights and the environment. 3️⃣ The  Green Taxonomy Regulation – defining criteria for economic activities to qualify as “environmentally sustainable.” The stated objective is to reduce administrative burdens and enhance the global competitiveness of European businesses. However, this move has sparked a heated debate. 📌 What’s in the Omnibus? The “Omnibus” will not merge these regulations into a single law but will introduce targeted changes to each. The European Commission argues that the existing requirements involve excessive reporting points, often redundant or overlapping. Proposed amendments might include: ✔️ Adjusting size thresholds for affected companies. ✔️ Reducing data points required under the CSRD. ✔️ Revising provisions flagged as unworkable by industry stakeholders. 📌 Why the Concern? While the focus is on “simplification,” critics warn that this could water down essential sustainability obligations. Over 90 NGOs, companies, and associations have voiced concerns that the Omnibus might weaken key protections for human rights and environmental standards. For instance, there are fears it could disproportionately ease compliance for non-EU companies or delay critical implementation deadlines. 📌 What’s Next? The exact scope and ambition of the Omnibus remain unclear, with a formal proposal expected in early 2025. Businesses must stay alert, as the timeline overlaps with the first CSRD reporting deadlines for FY 2024. Despite the uncertainty, companies are advised to continue preparing under the current regulatory framework. 🔍 A Balancing Act The EU faces a delicate challenge: ensuring its sustainable finance framework remains robust while addressing legitimate concerns about administrative efficiency and competitiveness. Will the Omnibus strike the right balance? Or will it compromise the progress achieved in recent years toward a sustainable and socially responsible economy? 💬 Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on the EU’s Omnibus legislation? Is this a step forward in refining the sustainable finance framework or a potential risk to the integrity of sustainability commitments? Let’s discuss! 👇 https://bit.ly/4fw8c4N

The Importance of Clarity in Sustainability Communication In the journey toward #sustainability, how we communicate and what we include in our assessments matter more than ever. Standards like #ISO14046 provide a robust framework for evaluating water footprints, rooted in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). They emphasize contextualizing water use geographically and temporally, ensuring a holistic view of its impacts. However, the flexibility of ISO 14046 to include or exclude elements like virtual water flows—the water embedded in imported or exported goods—can lead to significant variations in study outcomes. This highlights the need for these standards to evolve, systematically addressing global interdependencies to avoid incomplete analyses and missed opportunities. With the increasing adoption of frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (#CSRD), clarity and precision in environmental reporting are more important than ever. Misaligned or incomplete assessments risk undermining stakeholder trust and missing opportunities to address key sustainability challenges. By integrating concepts like #Water Footprint (WF) and #VirtualWaterTrade (VWT) into local and global strategies, we can foster regenerative water practices. Achieving a #WaterPositive future requires clear communication, precise assessments, and collective action.

Climate Change & Water: Key Takeaways from COP 29 Recent United Nations Water report highlights the critical relationship between #water and #climatechange following COP 29 in Baku. Here are the main insights: 🌊 Climate Impact on Water Resources: - Only 0.5% of Earth's water is usable freshwater - By 2050: 1.6B people at flood risk, 3B in water-scarce areas - Effects: unpredictable supply, increased pollution, ecosystem damage 🌱 Adaptation Solutions: - Rainwater harvesting systems - Climate-smart agriculture implementation - Wastewater reuse - International cooperation on shared water resources ♻️ Water's Role in Climate Mitigation: - Sustainable water management reduces greenhouse emissions - Clean energy generation - Non-sewered sanitation systems account for 5% of global methane emissions 📋 COP 29 Achievements: - Baku Declaration on Water for Climate Action (60 countries) - New Methane from Waste Declaration - UN-Water's brief on Water for Climate Mitigation released - The UN continues working towards SDG 6: ensuring sustainable water management and sanitation for all by 2030. #Sustainability #WaterPositive

🌊 Making Homes #Flood Negative, #WaterPositive: Reimagining Urban Water Management An inspiring article from The Times Of India highlights how Chennai's architects and developers are revolutionizing residential construction with an innovative dual approach to water management. The concept is brilliantly simple: instead of fighting nature, work with it. Here's how they're doing it: 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀: ☔ Strategic boundary walls and specialized gates that prevent flood water intrusion ☔ Thoughtful architectural design that works with the natural topography ☔ Solutions that can prevent 70% of flooding problems in high-risk areas 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 🚰 Underground water tanks that capture rooftop rainwater 🚰 Integration of open wells and recharge wells 🚰 Strategic tree planting to improve soil permeability 🚰 Lake restoration projects increasing water storage capacity 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: A prototype home in #Chennai maintained well #water levels even during the 2017-2019 droughts while effectively managing excess water during heavy rains. Developers are now scaling these solutions to larger projects, including a 50-home development that prioritizes #environmental harmony. 🔑 Key Takeaway: The future of #sustainable urban development lies in creating homes that not only resist flooding but actively contribute to water conservation. It's not just about building houses; it's about creating ecosystems. What are your thoughts on implementing these solutions in other flood-prone cities? https://lnkd.in/gVdwCPY3

🎉 A major step towards #energy and #water #sustainability! Google sets a milestone in energy transition with its innovative agreement with Kairos Power to power AI data centers with SMR #nuclear reactors. A technology that promises to revolutionize water consumption in the tech sector. 💧 Key #WaterPositive Impact: - Transition from traditional water cooling to molten salt technology - Potential to save millions of gallons of water annually - Part of Google's broader water stewardship strategy - Setting new industry standards for water conservation 💫 Why is this excellent news? - Cooling innovation: using molten fluoride salt instead of water - Significant reduction in operational water consumption - More efficient and safer technology - Boost to clean energy for AI 🌍 Minerals making this innovation possible: - Fluorite (CaF₂): Led by China - Lithium salts: Chile and Argentina as main producers - Beryllium: USA and China at the forefront - Sodium and Potassium salts: Global distribution ✨ To make this innovation truly perfect, we need: - Ensure sustainable extraction in each producing country - Support local mining communities development - Compensate water footprint in extraction areas - Create partnerships with ESG-committed mining companies 📋 #Europeanunion Regulations Alignment: - #CSRD: Ensures transparency in environmental and social impact reporting across the value chain - #CSDDD: Guarantees due diligence in human rights and environment from extraction to end-use - Opportunity to lead in compliance and real sustainability 👏 Exciting next steps: - Partnerships with sustainable miners in each region - Development of mineral-specific ESG standards - Innovation in Water Positive extraction - Complete traceability from mine to reactor This initiative demonstrates that green technology is possible. Now, the exciting challenge is ensuring that each necessary mineral is extracted sustainably, creating value for local communities and protecting water resources at source. Let's celebrate this advance while working towards a completely sustainable #valuechain! https://lnkd.in/gSCaJt4r

Can #Lithium Mining Be #WaterPositive? A New Approach with Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Lithium is essential for the global energy transition, powering electric vehicles and energy storage systems. However, traditional lithium mining methods, such as evaporation ponds, consume vast amounts of water—up to 2 million liters per ton of lithium—and disrupt ecosystems. Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) is emerging as a game-changer, offering a more efficient and environmentally responsible alternative. Why DLE is a Step Forward ❓ Unlike traditional methods, DLE recovers up to 95% of the brines used, returning much of the water to the environment or aquifers with comparable or even improved quality. This efficiency significantly reduces water consumption, but achieving a water positive status requires going beyond operational improvements. How Mining Can Be Water Positive ❓ To truly offset water use and benefit local communities and ecosystems, mining companies can adopt complementary strategies, such as: 💦 Agricultural Efficiency: Introducing advanced irrigation systems to reduce water use in local agriculture. 💦 Reducing Water Loss: Upgrading infrastructure to minimize leaks and unregistered consumption. 💦 Community Projects: Ensuring access to clean drinking water through investment in water treatment systems. 💦 Urban #Wastewater Reuse: Treating wastewater for industrial, agricultural, or environmental use, alleviating pressure on freshwater supplies. 💦 Ecosystem Restoration: Enhancing soil permeability, restoring wetlands, and implementing reforestation to recharge aquifers and strengthen ecosystems. 💚 A Commitment to Sustainability Combining DLE technology with these initiatives can transform lithium mining into a model of sustainability. This approach supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), ensuring that the energy transition addresses not only climate challenges but also community and environmental needs. Water positive mining is not just possible—it’s essential for building a resilient and balanced future. How do you see the role of industries in creating #waterpositive operations? Let’s discuss below! 👇 https://lnkd.in/dX3ep5av

💧 Water: The Foundation of Sustainable Development 💧 Throughout history, #water has been a driving force behind human development and evolution. It is central to sustainable development, underpinning socioeconomic growth, healthy ecosystems, and the quality of life for billions. More than just a resource, water is intricately linked to every objective of the 2030 Agenda. Water's unique role as a cross-cutting resource makes it indispensable for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs). While SDG 6 focuses on clean water and sanitation, its impact stretches far beyond. Water sustains life, fuels economic growth, supports biodiversity, and is integral to ending poverty, hunger, and inequality. No other resource connects all 17 SDGs as comprehensively as water. Its management affects #agriculture, #health, #education, gender equality, climate action, and more. Without equitable access to water and #sanitation, progress across the SDGs is hindered. But when water is managed sustainably, it becomes a catalyst for transformation across every goal. In this article, we explore water's role as the glue binding the SDGs together. From its influence on global efforts to eradicate poverty to its potential to drive innovative solutions in agriculture and industry, water is the foundation of the 2030 Agenda. While we emphasize water's centrality, we also recognize the value of innovative solutions like water reuse and desalination when natural water cycles fall short. These technologies are indispensable for meeting humanity's growing needs and ensuring a water-secure future. 🌍 Join us in this conversation about water’s role as the linchpin of sustainable development. Let's reimagine water not just as a resource but as the cornerstone of a resilient and equitable world. #europeanunion #economy #sustainability #watepositive