We are facing global challenges related to water access, quality, and scarcity that we have never experienced before. Only 2.5% of the world's water is freshwater. Of this freshwater, 74% is allocated to agriculture, 15% to domestic use, and 11% to industry.
Access to water is a fundamental human right essential for living a healthy life, but it is also one of the resources most affected by the climate crisis.
Where are we today?
Recently, efforts have been made to reduce the water footprint, which refers to the total volume of water a company uses to produce goods and services, or that an individual or community consumes. However, these measures alone are insufficient. The exponential population growth and the unequal distribution of water make it imperative to address this issue immediately and effectively. And when we talk about effectiveness, we must always think of technological innovation as a great ally in finding solutions to contemporary climate challenges.
Where are we heading? A Water Positive approach
At Agrow, we understand that cooperation between different sectors is one of the key elements in building a Water Positive future, where more water is returned to the planet than is consumed.
For this reason, we encourage and support corporations in implementing the concept of Water Stewardship, which means "managing water in a way that is socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial" (UNIDO). The way Agrow executes these projects is through cooperation between corporations and the primary consumer sector of this resource: agriculture.Our approach connects corporations with farmers so that the latter can optimize water use in their crops, while corporations offset their water footprint and/or improve their supply chain to meet sustainability goals. This collaboration contributes to the restoration of watersheds in different parts of the world and improves the quality of life of surrounding communities.
We have already offset millions of liters worldwide!
Call to Action
Taking immediate action in the face of the water crisis is crucial to ensuring future water availability. And we believe that large corporations can be great allies in this huge challenge we must face. By adopting sustainable water management policies, measuring the water footprint of operations, and setting an action plan to reduce (and even offset) it, corporations join the Water Positive challenge.