The El Agua nos Une initiative in Brazil has concluded its second cycle of activities in the country, consolidating relevant results for sustainable water resources management in the business sector. Implemented by the Center for Sustainability Studies of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGVces), in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (COSUDE), the project brought companies together around the common challenge of measuring, managing, and reducing impacts related to water use in their operations and value chains.
In this second cycle, ten large and medium-sized organizations took part, representing seven productive sectors: food, aluminum, water and wastewater services and reuse, construction and infrastructure, plastic packaging, steel, and leather. The participating companies during this period were Amanco Wavin, Aquapolo, ArcelorMittal, Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio, Entrevias, Fredini, Igaratiba, JBS, M. Dias Branco, and São Salvador Alimentos.
Project results
Since its first implementation cycle in Brazil, between 2018 and 2021, the initiative has promoted sustainable water resource management in the Brazilian business sector by disseminating the life cycle approach and water footprint calculation based on the international standard ISO 14046.
Throughout the 2023–2025 cycle, the initiative expanded its scope with the participation of new companies, which engaged in a structured journey of capacity building, application of the water footprint methodology, and development of impact reduction plans.
These activities included technical training, measurement of water-use-related impacts across product life cycles, and the development of strategies to increase efficiency in water resource use, reinforcing corporate commitment to responsible production and consumption practices. In addition to actions focused on corporate management, the cycle also promoted the exchange of experiences through workshops, webinars, and engagement with a Latin American network composed of companies, government, academia, and civil society organizations. The project also incorporated strategic topics such as corporate-level climate risk mapping, broadening companies’ understanding of potential future challenges related to water security.
The results achieved over the period highlight the role of the water footprint as a strategic tool to support decision-making, identify critical points in production chains, and guide concrete impact reduction actions.
“By strengthening technical capacities and fostering collaboration among different actors, the initiative contributes to consolidating a corporate water governance agenda in Brazil, aligned with the demand for resilience in the face of climate change,” says Juliana Picoli, researcher and project manager at FGVces.
Results presentation webinar
On March 26, FGVces will host an online event to share the lessons learned from the 2023–2025 cycle of the El Agua nos Une initiative in Brazil.
The meeting will also promote a discussion on operational barriers, opportunities identified by participating companies, and trends for efficient water resource use in the country. The event will be streamed on FGV’s YouTube channel.