Alliance for Water Stewardship

AWS Standard Version 3.0 launches at event in Tokyo, Japan

Bex Tyers — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:55:56 +0000

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) held the official launch of the AWS Standard Version 3.0 in Japan on 18 March 2026, hosted at the Suntory World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The event brought together water stewardship practitioners, corporate members, NGO representatives and certification professionals to mark a significant milestone in the evolution of the AWS Standard.

The event was emceed by Mei Haneo of WWF Japan and opened with a warm welcome from Harumichi Seta, Senior General Manager of the Sustainability Management Division at Suntory Holdings Ltd., before AWS CEO Adrian Sym delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for the day and underscoring the importance of the updated AWS Standard Version 3.0 in addressing global and regional water challenges.

AWS Standards Manager Tyler Farrow then provided a comprehensive introduction to AWS Standard Version 3.0, walking attendees through the key changes from Version 2.0 and outlining the pathways available for organisations seeking certification. An extended Q&A session followed, facilitated by Mei Haneo and Tyler Farrow, giving participants the opportunity to explore the practical implications of the updated Standard.

This was followed by a valuable member perspective from Satoru Yukioka of Chugai Pharmaceutical, who shared their experience of pursuing AWS certification and the benefits it has brought to their operations.

AWS Japan Sector Coordinator Kei Namba then presented on the opportunities for water stewardship in Japan, highlighting the local context and the growing momentum behind corporate water action in the region, before introducing the Japan Water Stewardship (JWS) initiative and outlining how organisations can get involved.

The launch ceremony closed with remarks from Alexis Morgan of WWF, who reflected on the influence of the Standard from an NGO perspective and offered a personal view on what Version 3.0 means for the broader water stewardship community. Kei Namba delivered the formal closing before attendees gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion.

Following a short break, an optional afternoon session titled ‘From Standard to Real Actions: Advancing Water Stewardship with AWS Standard Version 3.0’ provided participants with a practical introduction to implementing the Standard.

Introduced by Kei Namba, the session featured a series of presentations by Tyler Farrow covering how to define site boundaries and catchments of relevance, the role of stakeholder engagement across all five steps of the AWS Standard, and how to set water stewardship plans and targets by understanding impacts, dependencies, risks and shared water challenges.

Water Stewardship Assurance Services (WSAS) Auditor Naoya Ogawa then shared information about the certification process and insights from his experiences auditing sites. AWS CEO Adrian Sym brought the day to a close with final remarks.

The Tokyo launch marked an important step forward for water stewardship in Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region. With growing corporate interest in responsible water management and a strong network of stakeholders already engaged through JWS, the release of the AWS Standard Version 3.0 arrives at an opportune moment. AWS looks forward to supporting organisations across Japan and beyond as they work towards certification under the new Standard.

“AWS Standard Version 3.0 strengthens clarity, supports inclusivity, and enables more effective action in the face of water challenges that are becoming ever more complex. In a world in which the water cycle is intensifying, climate change is increasing unpredictability, water quality concerns are growing, and businesses face rising scrutiny and consumer expectations, Version 3.0 equips companies to respond to these realities with greater confidence and effectiveness. ”

Adrian Sym, AWS Chief Executive Officer

Photos from the event

A warm welcome from Harumichi Seta, Senior General Manager of the Sustainability Management Division at Suntory Holdings Ltd.

Speakers: Mei Haneo (WWF Japan), Kei Namba (AWS), Naoya Ogawa (WSAS), Alexis Morgan (WWF International), Tyler Farrow (AWS), Adrian Sym (AWS), Satoru Yukioka (Chugai Pharmaceuticals), Harumichi Seta (Suntory)

Satoru Yukioka from Chugai Pharmaceutical shares their experience of pursuing AWS Certification

A group photo of all attendees

Alexis Morgan from WWF International shares an NGO perspective on the influence of the Standard

AWS unveils upgraded global water standard ahead of UN World Water Day

Megan Glatzel — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:37:22 +0000

Tokyo / London, 18 March 2026 – The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) today announced the launch of Version 3.0 of the International Water Stewardship Standard, giving companies a strengthened framework to manage growing water risks and disclosure demands.

The globally recognised AWS Standard is being launched at an in person event at Suntory World Headquarters in Tokyo, ahead of UN World Water Day on 22 March, which this year again highlights the urgency of protecting freshwater resources for people, nature and economies.

Water risk and regulation on the rise

Global water risks are accelerating. Floods, droughts and water pollution are impacting production, logistics and communities across every region. One in five companies now reports significant water related supply chain risks with tens of billions of dollars of value at risk, while a growing share of global GDP is generated in regions facing high water risk. Environmental risks, including extreme weather and ecosystem decline, remain among the most severe global threats over the next decade.

“Water is now a board level risk as water related shocks are already disrupting supply chains and undermining business continuity. The newly revised AWS Standard 3.0 provides a practical and trusted framework for companies in any sector to act on those risks, work with others in their catchments, and through third party certification, show investors, regulators and communities that their claims of good water stewardship are real.”

Adrian Sym, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Water Stewardship.

At the same time, regulators and standard setters are tightening expectations around environmental claims and water reporting. The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and related European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), including ESRS E3 Water, as well as evolving rules in the UK and other jurisdictions, require companies to demonstrate robust management of environmental impacts and dependencies.

Certification to the AWS Standard 3.0 is carried out by independent third party auditors. Certified sites report benefits including improved relationships with local communities and authorities, increased investor confidence, enhanced brand reputation, better water quality and balance, groundwater recharge, new habitats and lower costs through reduced water use and greater efficiency.

“Healthy rivers, aquifers and wetlands are critical natural infrastructure for climate resilience, food security and human well being. By aligning corporate action with catchment scale priorities, AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help businesses contribute to restoring and protecting these systems, while also managing their own risks and dependencies on water.”

James Dalton, Global Director, Water and Wetlands at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

What is new in Version 3.0

Version 3.0 of the AWS Standard builds on a decade of implementation and evidence. In 2023, AWS reviewed Version 2.0 and, based on a global survey, decided to undertake a major revision. Between 2024 and 2025, AWS conducted two rounds of global public consultation and received more than 3,000 comments from over 100 organisations and individuals. The revised Standard 3.0 was adopted by AWS Members in December 2025, with 93 percent of votes in favour.

An independent evaluation of Version 2.0 found that use of the AWS Standard delivers clear social, environmental and economic benefits, from better community engagement and groundwater recharge, to improved access to WASH, new habitats and job creation linked to more reliable water flows.

“WaterAid welcomes AWS Standard 3.0, which reaffirms safe water, sanitation and hygiene as a core pillar of credible water stewardship. The new Standard offers clearer, more streamlined requirements and stronger alignment with climate resilience and catchment health - enabling organisations to deliver more reliable, equitable and sustainable WASH outcomes for communities.”

Emma Clarke, Senior Private Sector Advisor at WaterAid

A growing group of global brands across multiple sectors are already using or engaging with the AWS Standard, underlining its relevance for mainstream business. They include consumer goods and food companies such as Nestlé, Diageo, Unilever, The Coca Cola Company and Suntory Holdings Limited, technology businesses such as Apple, Cisco, Samsung, healthcare companies Haleon and AstraZeneca, retailers such as Primark and automotive manufacturers such as Audi.

"We are already seeing the impacts of climate change through water, from disappearing rivers and wetlands to more frequent floods and droughts. The AWS Standard helps companies move beyond narrow water efficiency and look at the whole catchment to help safeguard the freshwater ecosystems we all rely on. As a supporter from the beginning, WWF is pleased to see the launch of the AWS Standard V3.0, which refines the current gold standard for water stewardship by streamlining requirements and strengthening alignment with other sustainability priorities.”

Alexis Morgan, Global Water Stewardship Lead at WWF

As the world marks UN World Water Day and World Water Day week, AWS is calling on companies, investors and financial institutions in all regions to put water at the centre of their climate and nature strategies. Organisations are invited to download the AWS Standard Version 3.0 below, join an online launch webinar and contact AWS to explore how to begin or accelerate their water stewardship journey and move towards certification across priority sites and supply chains.

AWS Member Spotlight: Nestlé

Megan Glatzel — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:09:22 +0000

Water stewardship is not just a corporate social responsibility (CSR) ‘nice to have'... it is a boardroom priority and the backbone of our business strategy.

- Mickaël Clément, Head of Water Stewardship, Stakeholder Engagement and CSV, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages

As our first Member Spotlight, we are proud to feature Nestlé, a long standing AWS Funding Member, whose leadership, commitment and on-the-ground action continue to set a high bar for what responsible water stewardship looks like in practice. In the following Q&A, Mickaël Clément, Head of Water Stewardship at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, reflects on their journey, the lessons learned, and what it means to achieve their landmark corporate commitment of certifying all owned bottling sites to the AWS Standard.

Nestlé has been a long-standing member of AWS. Can you tell us how you became interested in water stewardship and why it is important to Nestlé?

Water stewardship is not just a corporate social responsibility (CSR) ‘nice to have’ for Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages – it is a boardroom priority and the backbone of our business strategy. For us, it’s more than a question of building resilience – we want to deliver positive impact beyond our factory gates too. Besides our commitment to certify all our bottling sites to the AWS Standard, we have also implemented around 70 projects in 20 countries in collaboration with local communities, partners and experts to address shared water challenges and deliver tangible, long-term impact. This important work not only protects water security, it enables nature and communities to thrive. With more than 30 years’ experience and impact, we are also dedicated to sharing knowledge and learnings to help scale solutions and fuel more collective action.

Nestlé was the first company to make a global corporate commitment to AWS certification. We would like to congratulate Nestlé and Nestlé Waters on meeting this goal and certifying all your owned bottling sites. Can you share with us what that achievement has meant to Nestlé?

Thanks! It’s a landmark achievement for our business, and a huge source of pride for everyone involved. It’s a commitment we set for ourselves to achieve by 2025, only made possible by investment, capability-building and of course the care, passion and expertise of local teams at our sites. Of course, the work doesn’t stop here! Our water stewardship journey continues, with ambitions to maintain our AWS certifications and strengthen our water regeneration plans for even greater impact. The AWS Standard give us a clear and rigorous framework to guide our actions.

What are the most important lessons you have learned along this journey?

First and foremost, we know that while water is a global issue, its stewardship must be handled at local level. You can’t manage water from headquarters! You need boots in the watershed and people who understand the challenges and are empowered to build authentic, collaborative relationships with local communities and experts to identify and co-create solutions. This localised approach is particularly critical when it comes to AWS certification. It’s one thing to have achieved this across all our 39 bottling sites, now we need to maintain the certification. That requires continued commitment by the teams on the ground.

Secondly, with stakeholder engagement being such a key element of the AWS Standard, we were able to leverage the strong relationships we had already established with stakeholders and communities long before the AWS certification process. Again, it’s critical to empower people on the ground to build these relationships with the local communities they are part of, they truly understand the context.

Finally, to achieve AWS certification, we’ve invested in training our teams and developed tools to help them in their work. We have learned so much from the process, which we share across our teams to help accelerate and scale our solutions and impact.

The Forum this year comes at a critical reflection moment and opportunity for us all. So come and be open to our ‘water stewardship immersion’. Join us as we reflect, listen and journey together – with old and new friends. There is space for all of us!

How has AWS Certification helped Nestlé create value for the communities and catchments where your bottling sites operate?

Every one of our 39 bottling sites is different, with its own unique context and challenges to consider and as such, it requires a highly tailored approach to achieve the rigorous AWS Standard. It’s really important to recognise that the process is not easy, which is why we’re so proud of every single site that played their part in this landmark achievement.

AWS certification gives us a framework, methodology, and ultimately, recognition of the high standards of our work.

It plays a pivotal role in identifying shared water challenges, together with our local stakeholders and water users. This process highlights opportunities for improvement so we can optimise meaningful impact. As such, ultimately, everyone benefits.

What truly matters most is that we are tackling local water challenges with concrete actions through our local water regeneration projects, that will help deliver a positive impact on water for years to come. From reforestation projects, the protection and regeneration of wetlands, peatlands, rivers, and canals, through to rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and water infrastructure improvement, our teams are doing some incredible work.

An essential element of water stewardship is engaging with other stakeholders. Which partnerships have been essential in achieving certification?

As our water stewardship activities are localised and context based, there’s no ‘one size fits all’. That’s why we work hard to truly understand the stakeholder landscape that is unique to each of our sites, and make sure we’re engaging in the right way, listening to other’s views, and drawing on their experience and knowledge so we can tailor our approach and deliver the most meaningful impact. There are far too many partnerships to mention here but every single one has contributed to this shared success story.

With the AWS Standard Version 3.0 launching just before World Water Day this year, what changes are Nestlé most excited about?

As one of the early adopters of the AWS Standard, we’ve seen how it has evolved over the years and helped elevate water stewardship actions around the world. The real challenge is to make it accessible and actionable for a wider range of users, without compromising on its rigour and robustness. I’m excited to see how this new version achieves that with a more pragmatic approach that will hopefully encourage higher adoption levels and ultimately drive greater impact.

What advice would you offer to other companies looking to scale water stewardship across their business?

Securing the buy-in of senior management is crucial, but you also need to raise awareness and understanding at the operational level. In a business like ours where water underpins your entire value chain, the case for investment in responsible stewardship is clear. Once everyone is aligned, the AWS Standard can be used to guide actions by the teams at catchment level, as it helps define a structured approach to stakeholder engagement. Water stewardship isn’t a one-off. It’s a journey where progress is made step by step.

Now that Nestlé has met their corporate commitment for bottling sites, what are your next steps on water stewardship?

We’ve met the commitment – but it doesn’t end there! The work continues as we aim to maintain AWS certification across all our bottling sites. It’s a big ambition because we know how much dedication and effort that requires – some of our sites have already attained certification three times.

In parallel, we will continue to uphold our commitment to water regeneration, which we refer to as ‘water stewardship in action’. That means strengthening and expanding the technical and nature-based projects that are already underway in 20 countries, so we can continue to have a positive impact beyond the factory gates and return more water than we use, while enabling nature and communities to thrive.

This inaugural AWS Member Spotlight marks the beginning of a new series celebrating the organisations driving meaningful water stewardship around the world.

Strengthening water stewardship capacity in Tanzania’s public sector

Bex Tyers — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:06:49 +0000

Written by Maheen Malik, AWS Water and Climate Policy Coordinator

What comes to mind when you think of Tanzania?

The Serengeti? Zanzibar? Kilimanjaro? Or the Masai?

But did you know Tanzania is also home to some of Africa’s most significant lakes, including Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake shared between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda), Lake Tanganyika (the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by volume and the second deepest) and many more. In the past couple of years, there has been rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in the country, with the efforts to position Tanzania as a growing industrial hub in Africa.

But can industrialisation happen without steady and sustainable water resources?

As of late 2025, there is a severe water crisis in one of Tanzania’s largest cities, Dar es Salaam. The city experienced water shortages to the point that local authorities had to ration water, with some homes getting water once a week and some even less. The drought and growing demand for water had been persistent for months, affecting communities, the environment and the economy, hampering any type of growth.

Simultaneously, other cities in the country are also facing similar water crises due to compounding water challenges – intensifying impacts of climate change, causing long periods of droughts and floods, untreated industrial effluent discharge causing water pollution and limited and ageing infrastructure causing limited supply of water.

To solve a crisis of this scale, an equal scale of collective effort is necessary. Therefore, as part of GIZ Green and Smart Cities SASA program, a capacity development initiative for both the private and public sectors was launched in collaboration with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) and LeafTurtle.

On the 11-12 February 2026, AWS delivered its AWS water stewardship for public sector training module, adapted to the unique challenges and opportunities for water stewardship in Tanzania. More than 30 participants, representing various public sector institutions such as the Ministry of Water Resources, the Vice President’s Office, the Fisheries Department, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, water basin boards and many more from Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mwanza and Dodoma participated.

The training course was held in Dar es Salaam and spanned over two days. It was developed to help public sector participants use water stewardship to build trust-based relationships with private sector institutions and other non-state organisations. These relationships can create opportunities for more collective actions for responsible water management in the catchment, which can lead to stronger compliance to water-related regulations and, potentially, boost resilience of the catchment and jurisdiction.

The training was the first step towards building a public sector that has greater awareness of water stewardship. Over the next couple of months, AWS will continue to engage with the participants to better understand how water stewardship can best support their national targets.

If you are interested to learn more about AWS’s public sector training offer, please contact us.

AWS named one of Bloomberg Green’s ‘ESG Innovation Drivers’

Megan Glatzel — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:19:54 +0000

Shanghai, November 27, 2025 — The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) has been honoured as an ESG Innovation Driver in the prestigious Bloomberg Green The Watchlist 2026, unveiled during a high-profile ceremony at the MGM Shanghai West Bund.

The Bloomberg Green ranking, which aligns with China’s “Dual Carbon” goals and global sustainability priorities, introduced two new categories this year: the Green Financial List and ESG Advocate, alongside its established recognitions. AWS’s selection under ESG Innovation Driver highlights organisations that deliver professional support for sustainable development through pioneering methodologies, industry standards and transformative initiatives.

The announcement dinner gathered leaders from financial institutions, listed companies and ESG-focused organisations for an evening of dialogue under the theme “Compliance as the Baseline, Value as the High Bar.” The event aimed to foster collaboration and forward-looking perspectives on sustainability trends.

Jason Lu, AWS’s China Representative, expressed gratitude for the recognition:

“Thank you to Bloomberg Green for recognising the Alliance for Water Stewardship on The Watchlist 2026. Water stewardship is a critical part of corporate sustainability and ESG efforts. AWS supports this work through the creation of the first international water stewardship standard – the AWS Standard – and our global water stewardship community, providing a clear framework and practical momentum. We are pleased to see the AWS Standard being implemented by a growing number of companies worldwide, with China leading globally in both the number of AWS-certified sites and the rate of growth in certifications. This recognition from Bloomberg Green will inspire us to continue advancing water stewardship and encourage broader engagement in this vital practice.”

This achievement underscores AWS’s leadership in promoting water stewardship in China and globally as a cornerstone of ESG strategies, reinforcing its commitment to driving systemic change and supporting businesses in meeting sustainability goals.

Planning to implement the AWS Standard and achieve certification in China?

Join our new short online training course to help you quickly grasp the core requirements of the AWS Standard and prepare for successful implementation. This course is only available to participants in China.

Building water resilience in Bangladesh’s textile sector

Megan Glatzel — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 12:14:22 +0000

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) convened over 60 key stakeholders in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 29 October for the workshop to mark the completion of the first AWS Accelerator programme.

Supported by AWS Funding Member Primark, the AWS Accelerator brought together 16 textile suppliers to advance water stewardship practices in Dhaka’s industrial catchments. Throughout the programme, sites have helped gather information on their catchment, completed AWS Standard System Training, participated in a series of knowledge-sharing workshops, and developed water stewardship strategies and plans. The sites also made a public commitment to water stewardship earlier this year.

This final workshop celebrated the completion of site evaluations, marking a major milestone in benchmarking site-level progress against the AWS Standard. The event brought together representatives from global brands, government agencies, development partners, NGOs and industry leaders. Participants included:

Global brands: Primark, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Celio, Elevate Textiles, Tally Weijl and Bestseller
Government agencies: Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), Local Goverment Division
Development partners: GIZ, Netherlands Embassy
NGOs and industry leaders: 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG), the Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)

A high-level panel discussion on ‘Building Water Resilience’ explored how corporate leadership, science and policy can come together to strengthen the Dhaka catchment’s resilience to shared water challenges. Speakers from WARPO, Dhaka University, the Netherlands Embassy, 2030 WRG and the private sector emphasised collective action and financing as the keys to sustainable water management.

As AWS prepares to launch the next Accelerator cohort in Greater Dhaka in 2026, we are exploring wider collaborations with partners to unlock finance for producers and industrial parks to access water technologies and build collective action pathways. It is increasingly clear that scaling water stewardship across the country’s primary business sector will be key to enhancing the country’s resilience and competitiveness.

“We’re incredibly proud of the participating sites for completing the first AWS Accelerator, and appreciative of Primark’s continued support. Collaborating with textile suppliers to advance water stewardship in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been a truly rewarding experience. We hope this initiative has created a ripple effect – one that inspires more companies to join and helps build a thriving community of water stewards in Dhaka.”

Shahid Kamal, AWS Bangladesh Coordinator

If you are interested in joining the upcoming Accelerator programme in Dhaka, please contact us for more information.

AWS convenes the second Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum

Megan Glatzel — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:37:48 +0000

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) China Representative Office hosted the Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum in the Jing’an District of Shanghai on 22 October 2025.

Representatives from the public sector, international brands, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), certified sites and auditors gathered to discuss the latest progress in water stewardship across China and explore the proposed updates in the AWS Standard Version 3.0.

The event commenced with opening remarks from AWS CEO, Mr. Adrian Sym. The morning session featured insights from public sector agencies, including the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, Shanghai Water Authority, China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) and WWF. Specialists shared perspectives on the development of standardisation in China, national and Shanghai water conservation regulations and the requirements, and international cooperation in water stewardship standardisation.

Mr. Yan Bai from CNIS announced the establishment of the ‘Water Stewardship Standardization Working Group’ under the ‘National Technical Committee for Water Conservation Standardization’ and introduced its members. AWS representatives hold the positions of Deputy Head and Deputy Secretary-General in the working group. Subsequently, Ms. Rong Cai, also from CNIS, presented on the ongoing cooperation between CNIS and AWS and launched the China Water Stewardship Blue Paper (2024 Edition), co-developed by both organisations. The Blue Paper provides a comprehensive overview of water stewardship principles, the AWS Standard and the China water stewardship standard, pathways for pursuing water stewardship certification, and case studies from certified sites. The first morning session concluded with an introduction by AWS China Representative, Mr. Jason Lu, to AWS’s work in China and its future plans and projects.

The focus then shifted towards water stewardship in practice. Ms. Lisa Seufert, Managing Director of Water Stewardship Assurance Services (WSAS), first presented a global market overview of AWS certification and announced that SGS has become the second AWS certification audit partner in China, following TÜV Rheinland. Then representatives from Ecolab, STMicroelectronics, WUS Printed Circuit Co., Ltd. and TCI shared their experiences in developing water stewardship strategies, implementing action plans and pursuing AWS certification. The morning session concluded with a panel discussion in which these representatives explored how relevant parties can assist sites in implementing the AWS Standard more efficiently.

The afternoon session delved into water stewardship in Environmental, Governance and Social (ESG) disclosures and ratings. Representatives from TÜV Rheinland, Colorful Earth, CDP and GRESB provided an overview of the CSRD, SBTN, CDP and GRESB. A subsequent panel discussion with representatives from these organisations then explored how AWS certification can better support these initiatives in China.

The final session began with the AWS Standard V3.0. AWS China Coordinator, Ms. Cindy Chen, introduced the major changes, the provisional launch plan and transition timeline for AWS Standard V3.0. The session concluded with a panel discussion featuring four consulting companies, which explored how AWS can support them in promoting AWS certification across China.

This second Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum also marks two years since the establishment of the AWS China Representative Office. It is clear since the launch of the representative office that water stewardship continues to gain traction across the country. With 61 sites certified at the end of September 2025, China has the largest number of AWS certified sites in the world. To help jumpstart water stewardship, the AWS China Representative Office runs AWS Collective Action Accelerators in Wusongjiang and the Pearl River Delta a rolling basis. Please get in touch with us to find out more.

“Inspired may be an overused word, but it perfectly captures the energy and pride at the Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum – where Chinese practitioners showcased their experience in AWS certification and collaboration across sectors to advance water stewardship.”

Adrian Sym, AWS Chief Executive Officer

"AWS successfully held the first Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum last year, and this year's forum has been further enhanced in both format and content, yielding highly commendable results. It is hoped that the forum will continue to expand its influence and drive the participation of more stakeholders in the practice of water stewardship.” 

Ms. Jing Li, Director of Standard Innovation Development Division, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation

Sponsorship

We would like to thank this year’s sponsor, TÜV Rheinland, for their support of this year’s Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum.

Photos from the event

Participants at the Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum

Adrian Sym, AWS CEO

Jason Lu, AWS China Representative

Panel discussion with four consulting companies

Cindy Chen, AWS China Coordinator

Representatives from TÜV Rheinland, Colorful Earth, CDP, and GRESB

Representatives from Ecolab, STMicroelectronics, WUS Printed Circuit Co., Ltd. and TCI discussing their AWS certification experience

Lisa Seufert, WSAS Managing Director

Participants at the Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum

Strengthening support for AWS Members in Japan

Megan Glatzel — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:58:44 +0000

"Japanese companies are already aware of water risks, and water is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. I see great potential to build on this foundation and further strengthen Japan’s leadership in sustainable water management."

- Kei Namba, AWS Sector Coordinator - Japan

As water challenges in Japan are becoming increasingly complex – from aging infrastructure to shifting agricultural landscapes – we’re strengthening our support to AWS Members in the region. We’re delighted to welcome Kei Namba as our AWS Sector Coordinator – Japan. With a rich and diverse background in water sustainability, Kei brings a deep commitment to advancing water stewardship as a powerful, market-driven approach to collective action.

In this Q&A with Kei, she shares her journey, insights into Japan’s unique water context, and the role of the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group in advancing sustainable water management.

Could you share with us your background and what inspired you to focus your career on water stewardship?

Over the years, I’ve worked on water sustainability from multiple perspectives – climate change, corporate sustainability – across different regions and sectors. My experience ranges from regional water and climate debates in Berlin and Brandenburg in Germany, to water and sanitation governance in the context of development cooperation. My PhD focused on Japan’s water governance engagement in Southeast Asia, and I’ve also been particularly interested in multi-stakeholder initiatives.

What inspires me most about water stewardship is that it’s a market-driven, cross-sectoral approach that enables collective action. With the current momentum around sustainability reporting and finance, I believe there’s a real opportunity to elevate water as a strategic issue, and joining AWS at this time feels both timely and meaningful.

Can you share some of the unique water-related challenges Japan faces?

Both geographical and social demographics make Japan’s water-related challenges unique. The country has plenty of rain, but its steep and mountainous land makes water storage difficult. Social changes also play a role, as the number of farmers drops, fewer rice fields are maintained. This matters because rice paddies help reduce floods (especially for downstream areas), recharge groundwater and protect biodiversity. In urban areas, transitioning to blue-green infrastructure through nature-based solutions is essential for better water management, mitigating urban heat (which can be intense during summer months) and flood risks. Japan also faces pollution issues like PFAS, aging infrastructure and complex water governance. These challenges show how water, farming and disaster risk reduction are connected – this is why collective action is essential.

Can you briefly describe the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group?

Convened by AWS, the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group (JWS) aims to advance water stewardship practices across Japan. It seeks to foster a collaborative environment where organisations from various sectors can work together to address water-related risks in catchments both within Japan and abroad. JWS brings together AWS Members based in Japan or with a presence in Japan.

JWS is highlighting water stewardship as an approach to address water challenges in Japan. Through a variety of activities, like training, networking and collaboration at a basin level, members demonstrate the positive impact water stewardship can have.

What are you looking forward to the most as the new AWS Sector Coordinator for Japan?

I’m really looking forward to working with a wide range of stakeholders to promote water stewardship in Japan and beyond. Many Japanese companies are already aware of water risks, and water is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. I see great potential to build on this foundation and further strengthen Japan’s leadership in sustainable water management.

When you are not at work, what are your favourite activities?

I like dogs and enjoy dancing. I also like swimming – whether it is in the sea or in lakes. Though I grew up near the mountains and the coast, I have always been an ocean person.

Celebrating 10 years of AWS Membership: A global movement for water stewardship

Brenda McIlwraith — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In 2015, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) was formally established as a membership-based organisation. Since then, AWS has grown into a vibrant global community united by a shared commitment to credible water stewardship.

To mark a decade of AWS Membership, we are proud to share a short film featuring voices from 10 AWS Member organisations around the world. These members reflect the diversity, passion and impact of the AWS network – from businesses to NGOs and the public sector – all working towards a vision of a more water-secure world. Watch the film (shown below) and hear from AWS Members.

Their insights underscore the value of AWS Membership: connection, collaboration, and the opportunity to drive meaningful change. Whether you are considering joining for the first time or renewing your membership for another year, this milestone is a celebration of what we have achieved together and an invitation to be part of what comes next.

Save the date: AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum

Looking ahead, the AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum will take place during the week of June 22, 2026 – a key milestone as the water sector prepares for the 2026 UN Water Conference. As always, AWS Members will receive early access to registration.

Ready to start your water stewardship journey?

Join the Alliance for Water Stewardship as we continue to grow a global movement for responsible water use.

AWS and CNIS sign Memorandum of Understanding to scale water stewardship standards

Megan Glatzel — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:53:51 +0000

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) and the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS), the publisher of China national water stewardship standard, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the 6th China Quality Conference in Nanjing on 16 September 2025.

The MOU, signed by Adrian Sym, CEO of AWS, and Fangping Luo, Head of CNIS, aims to jointly advance an effective framework for water stewardship standardisation. As part of this agreement, AWS and CNIS will:

Organise an annual academic conference to disseminate the principles of water stewardship and share experiences and insights related to water stewardship standards.
Draw on the strengths and resources of both parties to offer consultation and support on water stewardship standardisation collaboration – including industry associations, research organisations, enterprises and other relevant stakeholders.
Enhance joint capacity development by developing training programmes on water stewardship standardisation to support the adoption and implementation of related standards.
Conduct research to make water stewardship methods more consistent and to foster collaboration on standardisation.
Collaborate on the development of standards in the field of water stewardship and support experts from CNIS to participate in the revision of the AWS Standard.

"As China continues to elevate the role of standards in driving high-quality development, we look forward to working with CNIS to optimise the architecture for scaled adoption of water stewardship standards and AWS certification."

Adrian Sym, AWS Chief Executive Officer

L-R: Adrian Sym, CEO of AWS, and Fangping Luo, Head CNIS.

Alliance for Water Stewardship

AWS Standard Version 3.0 launches at event in Tokyo, Japan

Photos from the event

AWS unveils upgraded global water standard ahead of UN World Water Day

AWS Member Spotlight: Nestlé

Strengthening water stewardship capacity in Tanzania’s public sector

AWS named one of Bloomberg Green’s ‘ESG Innovation Drivers’

Planning to implement the AWS Standard and achieve certification in China?

Building water resilience in Bangladesh’s textile sector

AWS convenes the second Shanghai Water Stewardship Forum

Sponsorship

Photos from the event

Strengthening support for AWS Members in Japan

Celebrating 10 years of AWS Membership: A global movement for water stewardship

AWS and CNIS sign Memorandum of Understanding to scale water stewardship standards

Planning to implement the AWS Standard and achieve certification in China?