Lahore – In order to commemorate World Water Day 2017, Nestlé Pakistan and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) have signed a MoU enabling both partners to effectively collaborate on the theme of ‘Water Stewardship’ which will promote responsible use of water resources in Pakistan.
Nestlé Pakistan is the first market in the Nestlé world to start implementing Alliance for Water Stewardship’s (AWS) Standard at the Sheikhupura factory (currently underway).This standard promotes better water management of site specific water use and water catchment areas to address shared water concerns related on quality, quantity and governance. Nestlé is committed to developing business in a way that facilitates effective Water Stewardship.
Under this MOU, Nestlé Pakistan and SDPI will identify and prioritize opportunities and challenges for sustainable water management, presenting Water Stewardship as an effective means to address this challenge. In particular, this MOU will act as acknowledge dissemination platform on the responsible use of water particularly in the agriculture and industry sector. SDPI and Nestlé Pakistan will co-host round table events in Lahore and Islamabad on the theme of Water Stewardship. Additionally, both parties will jointly work on a policy brief which presents Water Stewardship as an effective solution to dealing with the water challenge.
Speaking on the occasion, Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs Nestlé Pakistan said, “Water Stewardship is a key area for Nestlé Pakistan under our Creating Shared Value initiatives. Our Water CSV agenda remains committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 6 which focuses on “Availability and Sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. While Nestlé has been improving on its own water efficiency every year, we recognize that the challenge is so big that we need to adopt a partnership approach involving Government, NGOs, Academics etc. to help make a difference outside the fence”.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abid Suleri Executive Director of SDPI said that for long, “For Profit Sector” was viewed as a hurdle to achieve sustainable development. However, now it is realized across the board that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without a partnership among “non-profit, for profit, and public sector” organizations.
