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An Introduction To AWS

The document summarizes the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), a global membership collaboration that champions a universal framework called the International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard). The AWS Standard offers a credible, globally-applicable framework for major water users to work collaboratively for sustainable water management. Sites implement the AWS Standard and are audited by third parties to make credible claims about improved water stewardship performance and contribute to wider sustainability goals. Membership in AWS is open to organizations seeking to tackle water challenges collectively.

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39 views

An Introduction To AWS

The document summarizes the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), a global membership collaboration that champions a universal framework called the International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard). The AWS Standard offers a credible, globally-applicable framework for major water users to work collaboratively for sustainable water management. Sites implement the AWS Standard and are audited by third parties to make credible claims about improved water stewardship performance and contribute to wider sustainability goals. Membership in AWS is open to organizations seeking to tackle water challenges collectively.

Uploaded by

Umbrella consults
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ALLIANCE FOR

WATER STEWARDSHIP
CHAMPIONING A GLOBAL STANDARD
FOR THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF FRESHWATER

Growing populations and economies, changing lifestyles and global climate change are putting
increasing pressure on our water resources. Major water users, governments, cities and citizens
all recognize the urgent need to work together to ensure the sustainability of this vital resource
on which we all depend. Water stewardship enables water users to work together to identify and
achieve common goals for sustainable water management and shared water security.

What is the Alliance for Water Stewardship? What is water stewardship?


AWS is a global membership collaboration of businesses, Stewardship is about taking care of something that we do
NGOs and the public sector. Our members contribute to not own. Stewardship approaches focus on the management
the sustainability of local water-resources through their of common pool resources like forests, fisheries or, in our
adoption and promotion of a universal framework for the case, freshwater. Water stewardship is based on the principle
sustainable use of water - the International Water Stewardship of there being a collective need for sustainable water-
Standard, or AWS Standard - that drives, recognizes and resources and a collective need for effective responses to
rewards good water stewardship performance. address shared water-related challenges.
How does the AWS Standard work? How do I know the AWS Standard is credible?
The AWS Standard offers a credible, globally-applicable The AWS Standard was developed through a four-year
framework for major water users to understand their global, multi-stakeholder consultation seeking a framework
own water use and impacts, and to work collaboratively that could be implemented by any site, in any sector, in
and transparently with others for sustainable water any catchment around the world. Our Standard is the only
management within the wider water catchment context. framework for water users that is fully compliant with the
Implementers follow the steps and guidance in the AWS stringent guidelines for standards system laid down by
Standard to achieve good water stewardship practices that ISEAL, the global alliance for credible standard systems.
improve site water performance and contribute to wider
sustainability goals.

On 22nd March 2019, we launched the AWS Standard 2.0


following a two-year public consultation and review of
the original Standard. Feedback demonstrated that the
Standard had been working well but needed some updates.
Version 2.0 is easier for sites to implement whilst
maintaining its robust ability to deliver water stewardship.

How do I know claims made by users


of the AWS Standard are robust?
The AWS Standard is built around five steps. Site owners
gather and understand water-related data (1), commit to
water stewardship and develop a water stewardship plan
(2), implement their plan (3), evaluate their performance
(4) and communicate and disclose their progress (5).
Following the steps and criteria will lead to improved
performance in five areas: good water governance,
sustainable water balance, good water quality status,
healthy important water-related areas and safe water,
sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for all. Sites are audited
against criteria and indicators by credible, third party
assessors independent of AWS or the site. Certified sites
can therefore make credible claims about their water
stewardship activities and performance.

Who is involved? How do I get involved?


Our members are businesses facing water risks relating Join AWS as a member and get involved in the AWS System.
to operations, supply chains, local stakeholders Membership is open to all organisations motivated to
and end of line consumers; public sector organizations tackling water-related challenges collectively. Membership
working in water-relevant policy; investors and financial is open to organisations of any size and in every location.
service providers seeking to enhance risk management The strength of the alliance lies in the diversity of
processes; development agencies and NGOs with water- experience members bring to it, and from the knowledge
related programmes; sustainability service providers who of how stewardship can contribute in the locations that
support the implementation or assessment of standards they have a stake in. For more information on membership
and CSR programmes. or to arrange a conversation with AWS, please email
[email protected]

AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894).

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