As global freshwater availability faces increasing threats, sustainability leaders are taking action to protect critical water resources. Act4water has officially launched its global water compensation standard, a certification framework designed to help organisations address their water footprint and contribute to climate resilience. This initiative marks a significant step towards more transparent and impactful corporate water stewardship.
Expanding the Act4water Standard
The alliance agreement, signed in London, strengthens Act4water’s mission by expanding the reach of its certification model. This announcement coincides with London’s growing reputation as a centre for water innovation, highlighted by the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit on 25-26 February 2025.
Desirée Marín, Chairperson of the Act4water Executive Committee and a representative of Fundación Aquae in the alliance, spoke about the initiative’s significance. “This collaboration merges water science, business innovation, and social commitment. Companies now have a measurable way to contribute to climate adaptation by tracking their water footprint and generating positive water credits,” she stated.
Act4water aims to establish a global benchmark for water footprint compensation, drawing inspiration from the success of carbon credit markets. Spain, where 75% of the population could face high water stress by 2050 according to the World Resources Institute, serves as the launchpad for this international initiative. With active projects in regions such as Doñana, Barcelona, and Tenerife, Act4water is already making an impact on water conservation.
How Water Compensation Works
Act4water promotes local projects that enhance water quality and availability, including aquifer recharge and water reuse efforts. These projects generate Positive Water Credits, a standardised unit that quantifies water impact. Each credit represents 1,000 cubic metres of water saved, restored, or improved within a specific basin.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, Act4water relies on rigorous methodologies such as the water footprint concept developed by the Water Footprint Network (WFN). Rick Hogeboom, Director of WFN and a member of Act4water’s Executive Committee, emphasised the importance of scientific validation. “Aligning corporate action with established methodologies ensures measurable and transparent positive impacts. By applying an academic perspective, we strengthen water compensation efforts and drive long-term sustainability,” he explained.
Certification and Corporate Responsibility
Through official certification marks registered in the EU, USA, and UK, Act4water provides companies with a structured way to compensate for their water footprint while supporting meaningful local projects. Organisations can earn Water Committed, Water Active, or Water Positive certifications based on their level of impact. Additionally, the Water Neutral certification allows businesses to validate water compensation for specific products, events, or locations.
This certification framework arrives at a critical moment, coinciding with regulatory shifts such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Green Claims regulations. These policies require greater transparency and accountability in environmental reporting.
Jaap Feil, Managing Partner at Water Footprint Implementation and a member of Act4water’s Executive Committee, highlighted the importance of compliance. “This framework bridges the gap between regulatory requirements and real environmental action. It enables businesses to meet new EU directives while driving genuine progress in water resource protection,” he said.
By launching this global standard, Act4water is paving the way for companies to take responsibility for their water impact and contribute to long-term sustainability.
