Our publications
Water Futures – Beyond 2012
We are confident that we are moving in the right direction, but how do we increase our impact? Beyond 2012 – the newest WFP publication highlights some of our achievements to date and explains our thoughts on how to move forwards. We welcome your feedback on our ideas and discussion on how you might get involved in the Water Futures Initiative.
Water Futures Report 2011
Until 2011, SABMiller, GIZ and WWF had worked together in Peru, South Africa, Tanzania and Ukraine, engaging local stakeholders to assess water risks shared by SABMiller’s local businesses, and surrounding communities and environment. In these four countries, the partnership has offered a single voice through which a business, NGO and development agency can engage with policy makers, public sector authorities, and other NGOs and business leaders. This voice has helped create buy-in to the notion of shared water risks, has opened a dialogue on how to tackle these risks and made clear the interests of the private sector in playing a role to help promote sustainable water management. In 2011, the WFP was also collaborating with other SABMiller partnership projects in Colombia, Honduras, India and USA, in the recognition of the similarities and potential for knowledge transfer. As a first step of this process, in February 2011 we held our first Water Futures Forum in South Africa, which brought together project partners from eight countries, plus representatives from other companies, to share their experiences and learning of working on each project. Read more about these and other activities in the Water Futures Report 2011.
Water Futures – Working together towards a secure Water Future
In Peru, Tanzania, Ukraine and South Africa detailed water footprints have been undertaken during the first two years of the WFP to provide greater insight and an in-depth understanding of the risks faced. With this knowledge, the partnership has been able to draw together relevant local stakeholders to develop a shared approach to tackle issues that have emerged.
The findings of these footprints, including a quantification of the water used throughout SABMiller’s value chain from crop production to distribution of products, are presented within this report, along with a summary of the key risks identified in each country. Workshops have been held with NGOs, government representatives, local businesses and others stakeholders in each of the countries, to begin developing detailed watershed protection programmes based on the assessment of the risks identified though this work. It is the translation of this theory into practice that will make a change in those communities that really need it. Read more about these and other activities in the Water Futures Report 2010.
Water Footprinting - Identifying & addressing water risks in the value chain
This report shows, that water footprints can differ enormously between agricultural growth regions depending on the amount of rainfall that a region receives. There is also significant complexity in calculating the impact of one water footprint versus another on the environment and on communities. Therefore, whilst good for consumer awareness, water footprints are not yet effective tools for helping consumers choose between different products.
Over time, and as methodologies mature and become more standardised, this may change. For now, the numbers are helping businesses and other water users to understand more fully how best to operate within the context of the water environment.
Read more about this in the Water Footprinting Report 2009.