Abstract
Overexploitation and competitiveness over shared freshwater resources are some of the growing problems that affect many regions of Italy, especially Emilia Romagna, a region characterized by high water-related risks linked to water scarcity, droughts and baseline water stress. Private and public sectors are driven to find alternative or best-practice strategies to conserve and optimize the water resource and guarantee a future use to all. The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is the first international standard that assesses water-use across a 5-step certification procedure, with the aim of promoting good water stewardship by assessing and consequently mitigating the physical, reputational and regulatory water-related risks associated to a certain site and its territory. The AWS is proving to be an innovative certification adopted by a wide range of multinational companies in order to reduce their water footprint. The Italian affiliate of Philip Morris Manufacturing and Tecnology Bologna (MTB) of Crespellano has, with support of the INOGEN International Alliance and environmental consultants Denkstatt and HPC, implemented the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard in order to promote a sustainable and feasible water use as the second certified AWS site in Italy. The implemented procedure, benefits and outputs of the AWS have transformed and are continuing to transform MTB’s business and commitment towards a best-practice water management, with the aim to raise awareness and encourage others to do the same whilst conserving water as water stewards.
Highlights
A World-wide Water CrisisWater is a key resource and most essential element of life, yet less than 1% of Earth’s fresh water is usable
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard aims at promoting good water stewardship by assessing and mitigating the physical, reputational and regulatory water-related risks associated to a certain site and its territory
The AWS standard abled Manufacturing and Tecnology Bologna (MTB) to follow the AWS 5 step proceedure towards a Core-Level certification and become a water steward, that is a sustainable water-user with the scope of reducing potable water consumption and impact on the territory [10]
Summary
Water is a key resource and most essential element of life, yet less than 1% of Earth’s fresh water is usable. The Region of Emilia-Romagna is currently implementing numerous strategies in order to face water scarcity and promote a more sustainable use in the territory [4]. These strategies aim to promote and implement a more efficient and Matteo Magagni et al.: Alliance for Water Stewardship: A Network of Sustainable Water Stewards in Italy conscious use of water throughout the local population and amongst water-demanding companies and activities [5]. Many companies in Italy and around the globe have, in the last years, adopted a worldwide acclaimed certification procedure, the Alliance for Water Stewardship, for the implementation of best-practice strategies in order conserve and optimize the water resource and guarantee a future use to all. The key is to look beyond a site’s boundaries and consider its interaction in the catchment territory, as well as the related impacts to stakehold [6]
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