Drops a month – April
Welcome to the April edition of Drops a Month! This month, we explore a crucial topic for all companies committed to sustainability: Why is water replenishment the way to become a corporate leader in sustainability? With water being a vital resource, understanding how you can positively contribute to its management is essential.
Leading Corporate Sustainability Through Replenishment Projects
Why is water replenishment the path if you want to be a leader in corporate sustainability?
Water replenishmentis presented as a key strategy for companies that wish to position themselves as leaders in sustainability. But what does water replenishment really mean, and why has it become an essential path for corporations committed to the future?
Water Replenishment and VWBA: An Introduction to These Concepts
La compensación hídrica es una estrategia que permite a las empresas neutralizar el impacto de su huella hídrica a la vez de convertirse en agentes de cambio mediante proyectos externos que devuelvan el agua que han consumido. Aquí, el concepto de Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) es fundamental. Este sistema establece que el ahorro hídrico no puede contabilizarse como compensación (replenishment) si se limita únicamente a mejorar la eficiencia interna de la empresa. Dicho de otro modo, el ahorro conseguido por optimizar el uso del agua dentro de la misma organización puede reducir la huella hídrica de la empresa, pero no se considera compensación en términos de VWBA. La compensación hídrica debe realizarse a través de actividades que generen un ahorro de agua fuera del perímetro de la propia entidad – o como a nosotros nos gusta llamarlo, outside the fence (fuera de la cerca), entendiendo que no todo ahorro equivale a un impacto real
In this context, water replenishment goes beyond operational efficiency. The company is assuming an active and responsible role in the protection and restoration of water resources externally. Instead of just improving its operations and strengthening its resilience to the climate crisis, this strategy makes the company a social and environmental leader, generating a positive impact on people, communities, and ecosystems.
Precision Agriculture as the Engine of Water Replenishment
Let’s take it a step further...
¿Sabías que el 70% del agua disponible se destina a la agricultura? Por eso, para generar un impacto real en la sostenibilidad hídrica, lo ideal es centrarse en el sector con mayor potencial para optimizar el uso del agua. De esta manera, la inversión en la agricultura eficiente es un excelente camino para una estrategia eficaz de compensación hídrica, basada en una correcta medición y gestión del recurso.
Furthermore, for water replenishment to be effective, it is necessary to externalize water-saving activities, and here, precision agriculture plays a key role again. Technological advances in smart irrigation and efficient water management in the field enable companies to generate volumetric savings that can be counted as water compensation.
For example, by implementing advanced irrigation systems and technologies that optimize water use in agricultural activities, significant water savings are achieved, which not only benefit the agricultural operation itself but also contribute to the conservation of water resources in the watersheds where the project is carried out. This savings becomes a real benefit certified to offset for the company’s water footprint.
In this way, the company is not only improving its internal efficiency but also becoming an agent of change that actively participates in sustainability. It promotes the recovery of an ecosystem that is home to thousands of species 🏞, generates a direct positive impact on stressed watersheds 🌍, empowers local agricultural communities through technology in the field 🧑🌾, fosters the technification of agriculture 🌐, and represents water savings 💧, increased competitiveness for farmers, and their ongoing training in technology 💡.
The Value of Water Replenishment
Estos proyectos no solo contribuyen a mitigar la escasez de agua, sino que también tienen un impacto positivo en la flora y fauna de las cuencas hídricas involucradas. Además, generan un cambio tangible en la vida de las personas que dependen de estos recursos, integrándose en una visión de economía circular del agua. Para ilustrar, en tan solo un año, hemos implementado un proyecto de compensación hídrica en el río Tajo, en España. Gracias a este
- Farmers reduced water usage by 27%,
- We preserved the habitat of 33 endangered species,
- We raised awareness in the agricultural sector about the water crisis.
By positioning themselves as leaders in water compensation, companies are taking a step towards transforming their role in society. This commitment translates into a positive legacy, contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone.
News of the Month!
Great collaboration between Agrow and Agrotech Campus! The Agro 4.0 Master at Agrotech Campus will include specialized training on water technology applied to agriculture, with Agrow’s platform being the prime example of the future of water efficiency in the field. 🚀
Agrow in the news! Antonella Maggioni was interviewed by ElEconomista.es about the role technology can play in the context of the water crisis. Read the article here!
Our team continues to grow to stay at the forefront! Our water solutions expert, Celia Vincent, has received a certificate with distinction for completing the AWS Standard System Training.
And to finish... Lucas Fazio, Water Success Manager for LATAM at Agrow, visited several fields in Brazil to introduce farmers to Agrow's irrigation platform. “The exchange has been fabulous, and farmers were able to appreciate the potential of incorporating technology into their fields," says Lucas.
A month full of events is coming up, let’s go for it! Stay tuned for our next newsletter to learn about the latest updates. Thanks for joining us in this new Drops a Month. See you next month with more news! 🌱💧