Act4water Unveils Global Water Compensation Standard

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The Act4water Standard introduces a voluntary market for Positive Water Credits, generated by local projects that enhance water quality and availability.

As freshwater resources worldwide become increasingly strained, sustainability experts are collaborating to protect water supplies and provide businesses with a structured approach to managing their water footprint. An alliance agreement, signed yesterday in London, strengthens the Act4water Standard, a certification system aimed at supporting water compensation while promoting climate adaptation.

The announcement coincides with London’s rise as a leader in water innovation, underscored by the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit, held on 25-26 February 2025. Desirée Marín, Chairperson of the Act4water Executive Committee and Fundación Aquae representative in the agreement, was among the summit’s participants.

Discussing the initiative, she remarks: “This collaboration merges water science, business innovation, and social commitment, providing companies with a tangible measure of climate adaptation through water footprints and positive credits—driving resilience across businesses, ecosystems, and communities while fostering sustainable finance.”

Spain, where 75% of the population could face severe water stress by 2050, as per a World Resources Institute report, serves as the launch site for this global initiative. With ongoing projects in Doñana, Barcelona, and Tenerife, the model aims to set an international benchmark for water footprint compensation, taking inspiration from the well-established carbon credit market.

Act4water facilitates local projects focused on enhancing water sustainability, such as aquifer replenishment and water reuse. The impact of these projects is quantified through Positive Water Credits, a standardised unit that measures positive water contributions. Each credit corresponds to 1,000 m³ of water footprint saved within a basin. In practical terms, if a project restores or enhances the equivalent of 1,000 m³ of water, it generates one Positive Water Credit.

To assess the effectiveness of these projects, Act4water employs proven methodologies, including the water footprint, developed by the Water Footprint Network (WFN) to measure humanity’s reliance on freshwater. Rick Hogeboom, WFN Director and a member of the Act4water Executive Committee, explains: “Aligning corporate action with rigorous methodologies is essential to ensure measurable and transparent positive impacts. By bringing the Water Footprint Network’s academic perspective, we aim to ensure water compensation practices drive long-term water sustainability and resilience.”

Through a set of official certification marks, registered across the EU, USA, and UK, Act4water enables organisations to offset their water footprint while contributing to local water initiatives. The Act4water Standard provides a structured certification framework, allowing businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable water practices, whether through reducing water consumption or investing in impact compensation projects. Companies can achieve certifications such as Water Committed, Water Active, or Water Positive based on their achievements. Additionally, the Water Neutral certification validates water impact compensation for specific products, events, or spaces.

This international partnership comes at a pivotal time, as new regulatory frameworks, such as CSRD and Green Claims, increase corporate obligations for environmental transparency and accountability. Jaap Feil, Managing Partner at Water Footprint Implementation and Act4water Executive Committee member, highlights the role of the framework: “This certification framework bridges the gap between regulatory compliance and tangible environmental impact, enabling businesses to meet new EU directives while driving real progress in protecting water resources.”