September 2, 2009—A new initiative launched during World Water Week will establish global standards for water stewardship. In conjunction with the announcement, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) accepted a four-year $1 million grant from JohnsonDiversey, Inc. to support this groundbreaking work, which is being convened through the Alliance for Water Stewardship.
The Global Water Roundtable will provide a powerful new tool to improve the way water is managed by establishing rigorous, realistic water stewardship standards, says WWF. The Roundtable’s primary objective is to bring together stakeholders from government, science, and industry to evaluate and establish a clear set of standards and a certification system for efficient water use. When finished, these new standards will seek to recognize and reward water users who take steps to minimize the impacts of their water use on people and the environment.
According to JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan, “Business leaders around the world cannot ignore the importance of water conservation in their future business plans. Establishing clear, global standards for water use is a critical step toward giving businesses the tools they need to ensure we have a sustainable supply of clean, fresh water for future generations.”
JohnsonDiversey, a global provider of commercial cleaning and hygiene solutions, is building on its support of water conservation by becoming a charter member of the Roundtable. In addition to funding the Roundtable’s work over four years, the company’s water management experts will also provide technical and operational input to establishing the new standards. JohnsonDiversey is also a member of WWF’s Climate Savers program and supports WWF’s fresh water science program.
