Saving Water while Doing Business: Corporate Agenda-Setting and Water Sustainability
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Hidden Power and Water Sustainability in Cotton Cultivation
3. Case Studies: Voluntary Cotton/Textiles Certification
4. Methodology: Water Sustainability Framework for Assessing What Is (Not) on the Agenda
4.1. Social Dimension
4.2. Environmental Dimension
5. Results
5.1. Social Dimension: Strongly Visible on the Fair Trade Agenda
[f]armers receive training to improve their agricultural practices in cotton production and the Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that training needs are identified [and] target groups are defined. Training is not conducted regularly but sporadically. Training content does not reflect improvements on respective local circumstances nor does field evidence demonstrate that most farmers understand the positive impact of the trained practices.[64] (p. 6)
5.2. Environmental Dimension: The Focus of the Organic and Multi-Stakeholder Schemes
6. Discussion and Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
Criteria | Indicators | Requirements | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Community capacity | (a) Knowledge and skills | Green:
|
(b) Access to information | Green: Must include at least one requirement specific to distributing information or accessing traditional knowledge that is specific to water AND at least one requirement about collecting information from other stakeholders. Water management plans are one way to do this. Yellow: Refers to the above requirements, but not specific to water (at least 2 issues) | ||
2 | Access to water | (a) Quantity and quality of water | Green: must address drinking water access for both workers and community members. Yellow: Addresses one or the other |
(b) Rights to water | Green: Refers to legal tenure rights, specifically addressing water, or requires that land/water disputes between traditional holders must be addressed Yellow: Refers to land rights, but not water rights | ||
3 | Surface and groundwater availability | (a) Water use and efficiency | Green:
|
(b) Water availability | Green: demonstrates awareness about surrounding water resources and avoids depleting them Yellow: Demonstrates awareness, not necessarily action | ||
4 | Water quality | (a) Runoff from agricultural practices | Green: must address chemical use and runoff (e.g., buffer zones) Yellow: strategies to reduce pesticide/fertilizer use + demonstrate awareness/understanding of implications, but no action required |
5 | Water requirements for ecosystem health | (a) Biodiversity and ecosystem services | Green: practices to enhance or maintain aquatic/riparian biodiversity or ensure no adverse effects Yellow:
|
6 | Water-related disaster mitigation (droughts and floods) | (a) Drought/flood mitigation measures | Green:
|
Appendix B
Certification Scheme Analysis
WSF | BCI Criteria | Justification | |
---|---|---|---|
Social | (1a) | Capacity building principle | Not addressed: Requires that some degree of training is available; not specifically related to water |
(1b) | Not addressed | ||
(2a) | 2.2 Management practices are adopted to ensure that water extraction does not cause adverse effects on groundwater or water bodies | Strongly addressed: addresses adverse effects on other users. | |
6.2 Access to potable and washing water is provided. | Strongly addressed: ensures that drinking water is available | ||
(2b) | Not addressed | ||
Environmental | (3a) | 2.1 Water management practices are adopted that optimise water use | Weakly addressed: Addresses optimising water use and ensuring efficiency |
2.2 Management practices are adopted to ensure that water extraction does not cause adverse effects on groundwater or water bodies. | Weakly addressed: Manages water extraction | ||
(3b) | 2.2 Management practices are adopted to ensure that water extraction does not cause adverse effects on groundwater or water bodies | Strongly addressed: demonstrates awareness about surrounding water resources and avoids depleting them | |
(4a) | 1.7 Pesticide application equipment and containers are stored, handled and cleaned so as to avoid environmental harm and human exposure. | Weakly addressed: Should be done away from water bodies to avoid runoff | |
3.2 Nutrients are applied on the basis of crop and soil needs. Timing, placement and quantity applied are all optimised. | Weakly addressed: Reduced fertilizer use and nutrient runoff into water bodies; does not address pesticides | ||
3.3 Management practices are adopted that minimise erosion, so that soil movement is minimised and water courses, drinking water sources and other bodies of water are protected from farm run-off. | Weakly addressed: Only addresses run/off from erosion | ||
4.1 Practices are adopted that enhance biodiversity on and surrounding the farm | Weakly addressed: Suggests buffer zones to protect riparian land | ||
(5a) | 2.2 Management practices are adopted to ensure that water extraction does not cause adverse effects on groundwater or water bodies | Weakly addressed: Needs to take into account the affects for the aquatic ecosystem, no action stipulated | |
4.1 Practices are adopted that enhance biodiversity on and surrounding the farm | Strongly addressed: Specifically addresses enhancing biodiversity on riparian land | ||
(6a) | Not addressed |
WSF | CmiA Criteria | Justification | |
---|---|---|---|
Social | (1a) | 3a. Farmers receive training to improve their agricultural practices in cotton production and the Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that training needs are identified, target groups are defined. Training is not conducted regularly but sporadically. Training content does not reflect improvements on respective local circumstances nor does field evidence demonstrate that most farmers understand the positive impact of the trained practices. | Weakly addressed: Addresses training; can happen sporadically and not specific to water |
4c. Regarding application of pesticides, the Managing Entity demonstrates awareness about the possibilities of runoff or leaching of chemicals into streams or ground water and can prove that this is significant or non-significant for the Unit. In the case of significance, however, the farmer is generally informed regarding the dangers of leaching of chemicals into streams or ground water. There is no field evidence that farmers apply the necessary techniques. | Weakly addressed: Addresses water-related training; only 50% of criteria need to be complied with | ||
4e. The Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that more than 80% of farmers have been trained in the principles of scouting and pest thresholds, which lead to the use of less pesticides. There is field evidence that farmers understand the concept. | Weakly addressed: Addresses water-related training; only 50% of criteria need to be complied with | ||
5. The Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that sporadical training is given on some of the following issues:
| Weakly addressed: Addresses training; can happen sporadically and not specific to water | ||
(1b) | 4b. The Managing Entity provides information to farmers and affected employees about the risks and dangers related to the storage of pesticides (including leaking containers), however, they have not received training in appropriate safe storage measures such that access by children is prevented. (More than 50% of the farmers visited store their chemicals correctly and prevent access by children.) | Weakly addressed: Farmers have access to information, but limited to pesticide risks; does not address traditional knowledge or collecting information from other stakeholders | |
4c. Regarding application of pesticides, the Managing Entity demonstrates awareness about the possibilities of runoff or leaching of chemicals into streams or ground water and can prove that this is significant or non-significant for the Unit. In the case of significance, however, the farmer is generally informed regarding the dangers of leaching of chemicals into streams or ground water. There is no field evidence that farmers apply the necessary techniques. | Weakly addressed: Farmers have access to information, but limited to pesticide risks; does not address traditional knowledge or collecting information from other stakeholders | ||
(2a) | Not addressed | ||
(2b) | Not addressed | ||
Environmental | (3a) | Exclusion criterion 2: Cotton production under irrigation is excluded | Strongly addressed: Cotton must be rain-fed |
(3b) | Exclusion criterion 2: Cotton production under irrigation is excluded | Strongly addressed: Cotton must be rain-fed | |
(4a) | 4a. The Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding about the impact of pesticides used for cotton cultivation on environment, health and pest resistance but lack an integrated improvement strategy | Weakly addressed: Addresses understanding of chemical use and impact, but no action required | |
4c. Regarding application of pesticides, the Managing Entity demonstrates awareness about the possibilities of runoff or leaching of chemicals into streams or ground water and can prove that this is significant or non-significant for the Unit. In the case of significance, however, the farmer is generally informed regarding the dangers of leaching of chemicals into streams or ground water. There is no field evidence that farmers apply the necessary techniques. | Weakly addressed: Addresses understanding of chemical use and impact, but no action required | ||
4d. The Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the farmer is generally informed regarding the dangers of re-using empty pesticide containers and how to dispose of these in a safe manner, but there is no evidence that this is being applied. | Weakly addressed: Addresses understanding of chemical use and impact, but no action required | ||
4e. The Managing Entity provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that more than 80% of farmers have been trained in the principles of scouting and pest thresholds, which lead to the use of less pesticides. There is field evidence that farmers understand the concept. | Weakly addressed: Addresses understanding of chemical use; not specific to water | ||
(5a) | Not addressed | ||
(6a) | Not addressed |
WSF | EU Organic Regulation Criteria | Justification | |
---|---|---|---|
Social | (1a) | Not addressed | |
(1b) | Not addressed | ||
(2a) | Not addressed | ||
(2b) | Not addressed | ||
Environmental | (3a) | Not addressed | |
(3b) | Not addressed | ||
(4a) | Article 4b: restriction of the use of external inputs | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical uses—limited to naturally-derived substances or low solubility mineral fertilizers (can be better detected in water) | |
Article 12.1d: in addition, fertilisers and soil conditioners may only be used if they have been authorised for use in organic production under Article 16 | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical uses | ||
Article 12.1e: mineral nitrogen fertilisers shall not be used | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical uses | ||
Article 12.1f: all plant production techniques used shall prevent or minimise any contribution to the contamination of the environment | Strongly addressed: Not specific to water | ||
Article 12.1g: the prevention of damage caused by pests, diseases and weeds shall rely primarily on the protection by natural enemies, the choice of species and varieties, crop rotation, cultivation techniques and thermal processes | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical uses | ||
Article 12.1h: in the case of an established threat to a crop, plant protection products may only be used if they have been authorised for use in organic production under Article 16 | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical uses | ||
Article 12.1j: products for cleaning and disinfection in plant production shall be used only if they have been authorised for use in organic production under Article 16 | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical uses | ||
(5a) | Article 5d: taking account of the local or regional ecological balance when taking production decisions | Weakly addressed: Addresses ecosystem; not specific to water | |
Article 12.1f: all plant production techniques used shall prevent or minimise any contribution to the contamination of the environment | Weakly addressed: Addresses ecosystem; not specific to water | ||
(6a) | Not addressed |
WSF | FFL Criteria | Justification | |
---|---|---|---|
Social | (1a) | SOC-34: A written Health and Safety policy exists, which is made known to the workers | Weakly addressed: Health and safety training required; not specific to water |
SOC-37: Workers and management are informed and adequately trained on occupational health and safety risk management (as appropriate for their duties). Trainings are regular and recorded, and are repeated for all new or reassigned workers and management | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water | ||
SOC-38: Any workers carrying out high-risk activities (fork lift, chemical handling, and hazardous machinery) have undergone adequate and, documented training, including in the effective use of Personal Protection Equipments—PPE (see SOC-43). Training is performed at least once a year, and renewed as required. | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water | ||
SOC-105: The employer develops the human capital in its company/organization, especially through good continuous on-the-job training, in order to upgrade the occupational capacities of the workers. | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water; only a bonus criterion and not required | ||
ENV-12: An Integrated Waste Management (clean operation, waste production, collection and disposal is handled in an organized way including strategies both for appropriate waste management and waste reduction) for continuous improvement is in place. This includes:—The identification of the different types of wastes generated, and associated procedures for adequate waste disposal and reduction—Adequate trainings of workers and Producers OR detailed information about waste management and reduction | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water | ||
ENV-33: Technical and practical knowledge about the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system is developed. This can be achieved through different ways, adapted to the local context (see guidance). | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water | ||
ENV-38: Technical and practical knowledge about the implementation of soil conservation techniques is developed (soil management, irrigation practices, groundcover, application of fertilizers corresponding to the nutrients needs of the crop, building/maintaining soil fertility and crop rotation (as applicable). This can be achieved through different ways, adapted to the local context (see guidance). | Strongly addressed: Addressed irrigation practices, which can be improved through adequate training | ||
ENV-44: The person responsible for the storage and the supervision of workers handling pesticides has adequate and up-to-date training/knowledge in agrochemical handling. | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water | ||
LOC-7: The Operation supports the local social fabric through its engagement in environmental projects (e.g., local recycling/composting programmes, training of local farmers in organic production, renewable energy programmes, fight against urban sprawl, etc.). | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water; only a bonus criterion and not required | ||
LOC-8: The Operation is active in creating awareness, educating and training in Social Responsibility (including environmental protection/sustainable use of natural resources). | Weakly addressed: Training provided, but not specific to water; only a bonus criterion and not required | ||
(1b) | ENV-38: Technical and practical knowledge about the implementation of soil conservation techniques is developed (soil management, irrigation practices, groundcover, application of fertilizers corresponding to the nutrients needs of the crop, building/maintaining soil fertility and crop rotation (as applicable). This can be achieved through different ways, adapted to the local context (see guidance). | Strongly addressed: Addresses irrigation; can be done through dissemination of good practices amongst producers (distributing information) | |
POL-18: The relevant groups (Workers, Producers, supervision and management staff, etc.) are informed about the basic Fair Trade approach and possible implications, and at least of:—The basic procedures for Fair Trade Fund administration;—The intent of the Fair Trade Development Plan. | Weakly addressed: Information is collected from other stakeholders; not specific to water | ||
LOC-3: Commercial use of traditional knowledge is recognized, promoted and adequately compensated. | Weakly addressed: Information is collected from other stakeholders; not specific to water | ||
(2a) | SOC-48: Access to safe drinking water is provided, free of charge | Strongly addressed: Addresses drinking water access for workers | |
SOC-69: The employer can demonstrate that the wages (including existing social benefits, in-kind benefits and bonuses) paid to ALL workers for normal working hours are equal to or above living wages (see guidance). Otherwise, the employer shall provide a plan to progressively reach the living wage and apply this plan. A timeframe will be set depending on the available resources and means at the employer level. If no benchmark is available and it would be too complex to calculate the living wage, the employer shall prove that particularly good, participatory and inclusive wages agreements have been made, and this is confirmed by the workers. | Strongly addressed: Addresses drinking water access for others: Living wage is adequate to meet basic needs (including adequate drinking water) | ||
ENV-10: There are specific measures in place to ensure that waste water does not contaminate drinking water sources | Strongly addressed: Addresses drinking water contamination | ||
ENV-57: The Operation has established buffer zones to prevent any negative environmental impact from its activity on:—Protected areas—Water bodies and drinking water sources—Areas of daily human activity—Other cultivated areas where no/less pesticides are used | Strongly addressed: Addresses drinking water contamination | ||
LOC-9: The Operation’s overall activities and efforts in the local community are in line with sustainable principles, and do not have a negative impact on local/indigenous communities, on the environment or on local sustainable development (lobbying for weaker environmental legislation, promotion of unsustainable practices, etc.). | Weakly addressed: Addresses impacts on surrounding communities; not specific to water | ||
(2b) | LOC-1: The Operation holds valid, legal and undisputed land use and tenure rights (including resource use rights such as water use, see guidance). If there are any disputes, they are handled responsibly | Strongly addressed: Addresses land tenure and water rights | |
Environmental | (3a) | ENV-2: Adequate water use practices and rational use of water; no apparent waste of water, e.g., through very inappropriate irrigation techniques, ineffective use in processing, or other loss of water | Strongly addressed: Addresses amount of water that can be used and water waste |
(3b) | ENV-1: The Operation knows at least roughly the source and quantity of all surface and ground water directly and/or indirectly used | Weakly addressed: Demonstrates awareness of water resources; no action required to maintain minimum levels | |
(4a) | ENV-8: Waste water (processing waste water, farm waste water) is treated in an appropriate manner, with no substantial risk to environment or people. | Strongly addressed: Addresses contaminations of surrounding environment | |
ENV-9: When water is discharged into natural water bodies, the water discharged does not degrade the biochemical and physical characteristics of the receiving water body, and does not include organic or inorganic solids. Depth of analysis to ensure and monitor this may vary according to size and potential risks of the operation (see guidance). | Strongly addressed: Addresses water pollution | ||
ENV-10: There are specific measures in place to ensure that waste water does not contaminate drinking water sources | Strongly addressed: Addresses water pollution | ||
ENV-14: There are designated locked areas for the storage of hazardous waste, with adequate measures in place to avoid pollution of water bodies (see guidance). | Strongly addressed: Addresses water pollution | ||
ENV-37: Hand or mechanical weeding and mulching are used as a first practice to reduce weeds. If herbicides are used, it is only done upon written justification and with proven efforts to reduce/eliminate their application. | Strongly addressed: Limits use of chemicals | ||
ENV-54: Adequate pesticide application methods are practised. See details in Guidance text. | Strongly addressed: Regulates chemical use and addresses contamination | ||
ENV-55: Water from rinsing application equipment is discharged properly, minimising negative environmental impact and preventing contamination of open water bodies. | Strongly addressed: Addresses water pollution | ||
ENV-56: Aerial spraying is carried out only for fungicide application in exceptional cases (see Guidance) | Strongly addressed: Addresses water pollution: Spraying cannot be done over water bodies | ||
ENV-57: The Operation has established buffer zones to prevent any negative environmental impact from its activity on:—Protected areas—Water bodies and drinking water sources—Areas of daily human activity—Other cultivated areas where no/less pesticides are used | Strongly addressed: Addresses runoff (buffer zones) | ||
(5a) | ENV-16: The operation provides: an overview of the habitats and the existing flora and fauna (at least vertebrates and for the ecosystem relevant insects) in the natural/semi natural areas of special ecological value inside or adjacent to the operation | Weakly addressed: Stipulates an overview of situation; no action required | |
ENV-17: Based on the biodiversity diagnosis (ENV-16), the operation is able to identify:—threatened or endangered species of fauna and flora (see Guidance) and their habitats inside or adjacent to the operation;—the existing or potential threats to their conservation. | Weakly addressed: Stipulates identification; no action required | ||
ENV-21: The Operation does not engage in destruction or conversion of other valuable natural or semi-natural ecosystems (see guidance) OR has taken sufficient compensatory ecosystem conservation action. Any destruction or conversion in the preceding 5 years before the application must be compensated by adequate ecosystem conservation practices. | Strongly addressed: Addresses adverse effects on the ecosystem, including aquatic ecosystems | ||
ENV-23: Measures are taken to maintain or, wherever possible, increase, biodiversity (diversity of habitats, flora, fauna, fungi and microorganisms) in and around the managed areas (e.g., different crops, or different varieties of same crops; planting of indigenous non-target plant species) | Weakly addressed: Addresses adverse effects on the ecosystem; not specific to water | ||
LOC-2: There are no unresolved disputes related to the commercial use of biodiversity and traditional knowledge OR all such disputes have been resolved in a transparent and mutually beneficial way, based upon written agreements including prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms. | Weakly addressed: Addresses adverse effects on the ecosystem; not specific to water | ||
(6a) | Not addressed |
WSF | FLO Criteria | Justification | |
---|---|---|---|
Social | (1a) | 3.1.5 If you are a 2nd or 3rd grade organization, you must implement an Internal Control System (ICS) on the 2nd/3rd grade level which enables you to control compliance with Fairtrade requirements on all levels of the organization. | Weakly addressed: Training the people responsible; not specific to water |
3.2.22 You must provide training to the members of your organization on the appropriate use of fertilizers. | Strongly addressed: Addresses training to minimize risk of water pollution | ||
3.2.26 You must provide training to the members of your organization on measures to use water efficiently. | Strongly addressed: Addresses training on water efficiency | ||
3.2.28 You must provide training to your members about waste water and the health risks it bears as well as on the prevention of risks and treatment methods of waste water and their implementation | Strongly addressed: Addresses training on wastewater | ||
(1b) | 3.1.1 You must inform and explain to your members the environmental and labour requirements in the Production chapter. | Strongly addressed: Addresses awareness raising for all production requirements (incl. water requirements) | |
3.1.2 You must identify which requirements in the Production chapter you and your members may be at risk of not complying with. | Strongly addressed: Addressed information from stakeholders: Relies on community knowledge, member experiences and General Assembly discussions | ||
3.2.25 You must keep informed about the situation of the water sources in your area. In case local environmental authorities or other entities consider that your water sources are being depleted, or are in a critical situation, or under excessive pressure, you must engage in a dialogue with the authorities or local existing initiatives in order to identify possible ways to be involved in research or solution finding. | Strongly addressed: Addresses monitoring existing knowledge | ||
3.2.6 You must raise awareness amongst all members and workers of the hazards and risks related to pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, even if they are not directly handling these materials. | Weakly addressed: Addresses awareness raising; not specific to water | ||
(2a) | 3.3.31 You and the members of your organization must provide clean drinking water and clean toilets with hand washing facilities close by for workers, and clean showers for workers who handle pesticides. These facilities must be separate for women and men and the number of facilities must be in proportion to the number of workers. | Weakly addressed: Addresses drinking water for workers; does not address water requirements for surrounding community | |
(2b) | Not addressed | ||
Environmental | (3a) | 3.2.26 You must provide training to the members of your organization on measures to use water efficiently. | Strongly addressed: Limits the amount of water that can be used and ensures efficient water use |
(3b) | 3.2.24 You must list sources of water used for irrigating and processing Fairtrade crops | Strongly addressed: demonstrates awareness about surrounding water resources | |
3.2.25 You must keep informed about the situation of the water sources in your area. In case local environmental authorities or other entities consider that your water sources are being depleted, or are in a critical situation, or under excessive pressure, you must engage in a dialogue with the authorities or local existing initiatives in order to identify possible ways to be involved in research or solution finding. | Strongly addressed: Addresses water depletion | ||
(4a) | 3.2.8 If you and the members of your organization spray pesticides or other hazardous chemicals from the air, you and the members of your organization must not spray above and around places with ongoing human activity or above and around water sources. If spraying is outsourced to subcontractors, you and the members of your organization must make sure that this requirement is met. | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical use and water pollution | |
3.2.12 Your members must have equipment to handle accidents and spills in the areas where they prepare or mix pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, so these do not seep into soil or water. Members must plan spraying in such a way as to have no or very little spray solution left. | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical use and water pollution | ||
3.2.19 You must work toward all members who use herbicides minimizing the amount they use by implementing other weed prevention and control strategies. | Weakly addressed: Addresses chemical use; not specific to water | ||
3.2.27 You must handle waste water from central processing facilities in a manner that does not have a negative impact on water quality, soil fertility or food safety. | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical use; not specific to water | ||
3.2.35 You and the members of your organization must maintain buffer zones around bodies of water and watershed recharge areas and between production areas and areas of high conservation value, either protected or not. Pesticides, other hazardous chemicals and fertilizers must not be applied in buffer zones. | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical use; not specific to water | ||
(5a) | 3.2.34 You must report on activities that you or your members carry out to protect and enhance biodiversity. | Weakly addressed: Reporting may address buffer zones and riparian zones, but is not required to | |
3.2.35 You and the members of your organization must maintain buffer zones around bodies of water and watershed recharge areas and between production areas and areas of high conservation value, either protected or not. Pesticides, other hazardous chemicals and fertilizers must not be applied in buffer zones. | Strongly addressed: Addresses buffer zones to protect areas of high conservation value | ||
(6a) | Not addressed |
WSF | Naturland Criteria | Justification | |
---|---|---|---|
Social | (1a) | SR-6: Health and Safety—The employer is responsible for safety, health and hygiene at the workplace. If necessary, this implies holding training courses for employees to raise their awareness of any dangers at their workplace and of the contents of hygiene standards. Operations with more than 10 workers have to draw up a policy on safety at work and make these available to all employees. | Weakly addressed: Addresses training; not specific to water |
SR-7.7: Further Education—The unit offers its employees the possibility of further education and professional training. | Weakly addressed: Addresses training; not specific to water | ||
(1b) | Not addressed | ||
(2a) | SR-6: Health and Safety—All workers, employees and their families shall have access to drinking water, food, accommodation and basic medical care | Weakly addressed: Addresses access to drinking water for workers but not surrounding community | |
(2b) | SR-1: Human rights—A product created under conditions violating basic human rights, under gross violation of social justice or infringing indigenous land and water rights can not be traded as a product certified by Naturland. | Strongly addressed: Addresses land tenure and water rights | |
Environmental | (3a) | GMR-1: Sustainable Management—Natural water resources are to be used careful and in a sustainable manner | Strongly addressed: Addresses sustainable use of water |
PP-7.1: General—Wherever possible, rainwater is collected and used and the effects of the amount of water removed from water sources monitored… Irrigation must be in accordance with good farming practice. | Strongly addressed: Address keeping water use in line with renewal rate | ||
PP-7.2.1: General—Only efficient, water-saving irrigation systems may be used (e.g., drip, centre pivot or mini sprinkler irrigation systems). Water losses must be avoided by means of regular maintenance. Maintenance plans and records of maintenance must be presented. | Weakly addressed: Addresses water use and efficiency; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
PP-7.2.2: Water Management Plan—Farms draw up a water management plan17, which comprises records and analysis of consumption, analysis of possible risks in conjunction with water use and a plan of action for the reduction or prevention of these risks. | Weakly addressed: Addresses water use; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
PP-7.2.3: Specific Management Conditions—When consulting experts, the specific problems and challenges of a catchment area, including any beyond the borders of an individual farm, are to be taken into account, especially
| Weakly addressed: Addresses water use; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
(3b) | GMR-1: Sustainable Management—Natural water resources are to be used careful and in a sustainable manner | Strongly addressed: Addresses sustainable water use | |
PP-7.1: General—Excessive exploitation and exhaustion of water resources is not allowed. Wherever possible, rainwater is collected and used and the effects of the amount of water removed from water sources monitored... Irrigation must be in accordance with good farming practice. | Strongly addressed: Prevents water depletion | ||
PP-7.2.2: Water Management Plan—Farms draw up a water management plan17, which comprises records and analysis of consumption, analysis of possible risks in conjunction with water use and a plan of action for the reduction or prevention of these risks. | Weakly addressed: Demonstrates awareness; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
PP-7.2.3: Specific Management Conditions—When consulting experts, the specific problems and challenges of a catchment area, including any beyond the borders of an individual farm, are to be taken into account, especially
| Weakly addressed: Demonstrates awareness; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
(4a) | PP-1: Humus management and fertilization—Nutrient losses during storage and the application of liquid fertilizers and dung as well as in irrigation have to be reduced to a minimum. The quality of the ground water and surface water may not be negatively affected. | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical use and water pollution | |
PP-6: Landscape management—Because cultivation and animal husbandry are appropriate to local conditions, organic farming methods are especially suitable for use in sensitive areas (e.g., protected water conservation areas). By creating extensive bands of grassland as buffer zones alongside unstable ecological systems (e.g., rivers and lakes), precautions are taken against potential soil loss and nutrient input. | Strongly addressed: Addresses chemical use and water pollution | ||
(5a) | GMR-1: Sustainable Management—The benefits derived from natural ecosystems and their economic performance must be maintained.Damage to ecosystems should be kept to a minimum. Biodiversity is to be maintained and fostered on farms to the best of the farmer’s ability | Weakly addressed: Addresses biodiversity; not specific to water | |
PP-7.2.3: Specific Management Conditions—When consulting experts, the specific problems and challenges of a catchment area, including any beyond the borders of an individual farm, are to be taken into account, especially
| Weakly addressed: Addresses biodiversity; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
PP-7.2.4: Use of Non-renewable water sources—The use of non-renewable (fossil) water resources for agricultural production is only possible if consultation with experts has furnished credible proof that this use does not conceal any significant ecological or social risks. In this case, the analysis must cover the whole catchment area as well as any possible social and ecological consequences for other parts of the country or in other countries. Both short and long term risks are to be assessed. The results are to be presented to Naturland prior to (possible) certification. | Weakly addressed: Addresses biodiversity; only in areas with scarce water resources | ||
(6a) | PP-7.2.1: Water Management Plan—Farms draw up a water management plan, which comprises records and analysis of consumption, analysis of possible risks in conjunction with water use and a plan of action for the reduction or prevention of these risks. | Weakly addressed: Addresses water-related risks; only in areas with scarce water resources | |
PP-7.2.3: Specific Management Conditions—When consulting experts, the specific problems and challenges of a catchment area, including any beyond the borders of an individual farm, are to be taken into account, especially
| Weakly addressed: Addresses water scarcity; only in areas with scarce water resources |
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Certification Scheme | Stakeholder Type | Initiator | Year Founded | Certified Products | Countries of Production |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) | Multi-stakeholder | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and International Finance Corporation (World Bank) | 2010 | Cotton | Australia, Brazil, China, Cotton made in Africa (CMiA) countries, India, Israel, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, Senegal, Tajikistan, Turkey, United States (USA) |
Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) | Multi-stakeholder | Aid by Trade Foundation (owned by businessperson Michael Otto) | 2005 | Cotton | Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
European Union (EU) Organic Reg. | Public | EU | 2007 | Organic products | All |
Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO) | Fair trade | Solidaridad | 1997 | Various, including cotton | All |
Fair for Life (FFL) | Fair trade and organic | Swiss Bio Foundation and IMO Group (ECOCERT) | 2006 | Various, including cotton | All |
Naturland | Fair trade | Farmer’s association | 1982 | Various, including textiles | All |
Criteria | Indicators | FFL | FLO | NL | BCI | CmiA | EU | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social | 1 | Community capacity | (a) Knowledge and skills | ||||||
(b) Access to information | |||||||||
2 | Access to water | (a) Quantity and quality of water | |||||||
(b) Rights to water | |||||||||
Environmental | 3 | Surface and groundwater availability | (a) Water use and efficiency | ||||||
(b) Water availability | |||||||||
4 | Water quality | (a) Pollution from agricultural practices | |||||||
5 | Water requirements for ecosystem health | (a) Biodiversity and ecosystem services | |||||||
6 | Water-related disaster mitigation | (a) Drought/flood mitigation measures |
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Kemper, L.; Partzsch, L. Saving Water while Doing Business: Corporate Agenda-Setting and Water Sustainability. Water 2019, 11, 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020297
Kemper L, Partzsch L. Saving Water while Doing Business: Corporate Agenda-Setting and Water Sustainability. Water. 2019; 11(2):297. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020297
Chicago/Turabian StyleKemper, Laura, and Lena Partzsch. 2019. "Saving Water while Doing Business: Corporate Agenda-Setting and Water Sustainability" Water 11, no. 2: 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020297
APA StyleKemper, L., & Partzsch, L. (2019). Saving Water while Doing Business: Corporate Agenda-Setting and Water Sustainability. Water, 11(2), 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020297