SABMiller, WWF and GIZ’s Water Futures Partnership expands into Zambia

The Water Futures Partnership is launching a new project in Zambia to reduce shared water risks, adding to the projects taking place in eight other countries around the world.

Water Futures Partnership is a collaboration between business, NGOs and government agencies running on-the-ground projects to address shared water risks at a watershed level. The founding members are SABMiller, WWF and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenbeit (GIZ).

The new project is aimed at protecting the Itawa Springs which is at risk of pollution and degradation and is an important source of water for citizens and industry in the city of Ndola. Zambian Breweries PLC is one of the industrial users of the spring’s water for its Ndola brewery.

Anele Malumo, Managing Director of Zambian Breweries PLC, a subsidiary of SABMiller, said: “The Itawa Springs are a critical water source for citizens and businesses alike. The Water Futures Partnership will be taking its collaborative approach to this project working with key stakeholders including the National Heritage Conservation Commission, Department of Water Affairs, Water Board, Department of Forestry, Ndola City Council and local community to develop a sustainable and long term protection plan and then implement measures to secure the springs.”

Eberhard Goll,Water Programme Manager for GIZ in Zambia said: “It is very encouraging to witness how businesses, governmental agencies and the community all support this progressive partnership for the protection of a common resource.”

To enable further expansion of its work, the Water Futures Partnership hopes to evolve into the Water Futures Initiative establishing an International Steering Committee and secretariat. The steering committee will provide a strong governance framework with the secretariat acting as a central resource to help build the capacity of local partnerships and manage budgets. A new charter expresses the shared views and aims of this initiative1.

Andy Wales, SVP of Sustainable Development, SABMiller said:

“Whilst water is a global issue, the solutions are local. The project in Ndola shows that by collaborating at the local level with the range of government, community and business stakeholders, agreement can be found and action taken for the benefit of all.”

David Tickner, Head of Freshwater, WWF-UK:

“Our overarching vision is of a secure and fair water future that supports sustainable economic growth, achieved through the improved use and management of water at a watershed level. Our aim is to increase the number of corporate, civil society and donor partners, allowing us to expand our work into new countries.”

The Water Resources Group (of which SABMiller is a supporter) estimates there could be a 40% shortfall between demand and availability of freshwater resources by 2030. According to the UN’s World Development Report, almost half of the world’s population will live in areas of high water stress by 2030.

Reference

1. The Charter can be found in the Water Futures:Beyond 2012 report available to download from www.water-futures.org