The Argentine Chamber of Water launched its ‘Water Responsible Companies Program’ to support organisation in measuring, managing, reducing, and communicating about their impact on water resources. The programme promotes responsible water management practices, ensuring sustainability and efficiency while aligning with global environmental trends and regulatory requirements.
Purpose The Water Responsible Companies Program, developed by the Argentine Chamber of Water (CAA), is a progressive framework designed to help organisations measure, manage, reduce, and communicate their impact on water resources. It aims to promote responsible water management practices, ensuring sustainability and efficiency while aligning with global environmental trends and regulatory requirements.
Target Audience This program is directed at organisations across various sectors that seek to adopt responsible water management practices. It provides a structured approach for businesses to enhance their environmental sustainability, optimise resource use, and comply with international standards such as ISO 14046.
Program Structure and Phases The program consists of three progressive certification phases, each with specific requirements and benefits.
- Phase 1 – Commitment
- Objective: Recognises organisations that begin identifying and monitoring their water consumption.
- Benefits: Encourages the adoption of water efficiency practices and transparency in sustainability efforts.
- Requirements: Organisations must submit a registration form, undergo verification, and demonstrate knowledge in water resource management through accredited training.
- Certification: Upon successful evaluation, organisations receive the Commitment Seal, valid for 12 months.
- Phase 2 – Verified Water Footprint
- Objective: Certifies organisations that quantify and evaluate their water consumption according to ISO 14046 standards.
- Benefits: Strengthens transparency, enhances reputation, reduces operational costs, and supports sustainable decision-making.
- Requirements: Organisations must provide a detailed water footprint report, identify critical consumption points, demonstrate technical competencies, and implement an action plan.
- Certification: Successful candidates receive the Verified Water Footprint Seal, valid for 24 months.
- Phase 3 – Efficient Water Management
- Objective: Recognises organisations that achieve water management goals set in Phase 2.
- Benefits: Validates continuous improvement, strengthens resilience, and demonstrates a firm commitment to sustainability.
- Requirements: Organisations must present an updated water footprint report, compare metrics with the previous phase, and establish a review mechanism for ongoing improvement.
- Certification: The Efficient Water Management Seal is awarded, valid for 60 months.
- Phase 4 – Monitoring and Recertification
- Objective: Ensures organisations maintain and enhance their water management performance over time through continuous monitoring and periodic recertification.
- Benefits: Provides long-term assurance of sustainable water practices, reinforces corporate responsibility, and allows for adaptation to evolving industry standards.
- Requirements: Organisations must conduct regular water footprint assessments, update their action plans based on new findings, and undergo periodic verification.
- Certification: Organisations successfully completing this phase receive the Recertification Seal, ensuring ongoing compliance with best practices in water sustainability.
Strategic Importance and Global Impact
Evaluating the water footprint provides economic, environmental, and social benefits. It enables organisations to optimise costs, reduce environmental impact, and enhance corporate reputation. Furthermore, obtaining water footprint certification aligns businesses with global sustainability trends, making them more competitive and attractive to environmentally conscious consumers and investors.
Future Developments
CAA is working on partnerships with international certification bodies, universities, and regulatory institutions to further strengthen the credibility and impact of the program. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding policy incentives for companies that adhere to responsible water management standards.
Companies that join the program will become part of the Argentine Water Alliance, which aims to raise awareness of the necessity of responsible water management among industries and organisations. CAA will provide specialised training to those responsible for implementing water systems in industries. Furthermore, a regulatory framework will be introduced at the national, provincial, and municipal levels to encourage companies to participate in these initiatives.
By participating in this program, organisations demonstrate leadership in water sustainability, positioning themselves as key players in the transition towards a more responsible and resource-efficient economy.
Interested in finding out more, contact gonzalo@latamwater.org.
