Thursday May 10, 2012 8:00 - 9:30am San Francisco / 11:00 - 12:30pm New York / 5:00 - 6:30 pm Paris and Frankfurt

Reducing pressure on global water resources, particularly in developing countries, is recognized as an important factor for long-term sustainability. For companies committed to sustainable development, reducing the pressure they exert on water resources is a key part of their strategy. There is therefore a growing demand for appropriate methods to assess water usage and its impact on the environment. Join us to learn how Quantis International's cutting edge water footprint methodology development, application and valorization has been applied around the world through:

• International initiatives on Water as the UNEP-SETAC Water Use Life Cycle Assessment initiative and is partner of the WFN
• Development of an exhaustive water footprint database covering more than 4'000 industrial and agricultural processes, applying the latest methodology developments
• Innovative methodology developments in the last few years that will set the principles of water footprint as commonly understood today

This webinar will present a case study in Colombia utilizing this methodology in partnership with the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency (SDC). The SDC is aware of the growing importance of the “water footprint”concept for companies, governments and citizens. Since 2010, it has embarked on a public-private development partnership with four Swiss companies, Nestlé, Syngenta, Holcim and Clariant, with the aim of evaluating their water footprints in Colombia.

The overall objective of the project is to reduce the water footprints of businesses and consumers in Colombia through the further development of an applicable “water footprint”-concept, promotion of its implementation and advocacy for its positioning in public policy.

• By measuring the water use, special attention is given to the water usage in the factory as well as along the entire production chain until the end use of the final product
• By taking the initiative to reduce their water footprints, the companies support water-focused social responsibility activities and projects, mainly in the communities surrounding and affected by their production plants