New Project: Sustainable water sourcing in Southern Spain

SMK aims to promote sustainable water sourcing in the agricultural sector. In collaboration with WRAP and SIFAV, SMK is working to promote sustainable water sourcing in Southern Spain, where water is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change. SMK wants to cooperate with actors in the international value chain of fruits and vegetablesto improve water stewardship in agricultural production in Southern Spain.

SMK, owner of the sustainability standard ‘On the way to PlanetProof’ for plant-based agricultural products, initiates this project within the WRAP-coordinated water stewardship program in Southern Spain. With climate change taking place, water scarcity in Southern Spain will further increase. Sooner or later, traders and retailers will be held accountable not only for legality of agricultural water consumption, but also for their contribution to desertification. A next step in water stewardship is necessary by applying criteria for sustainable water sourcing.   

Development of criteria

A possibility to characterize water sourcing as sustainable would provide an opportunity to stimulate sustainable sourcing and to set targets. It would give export-oriented growers arguments when accused of exporting precious water from dry land. This project investigates the possibility of defining criteria for sustainable water sourcing. It focuses on irrigation communities that provide water from surface and groundwater sources, desalination plants and evt. other sources.  

The project outcomes will include a report, a presentation, and an advisory leaflet, which will be available in the second quarter of 2025. Retailers, trading companies, and producers can use these insights to define their own approach to sustainable water use. 

Apply to contribute to this project

We invite companies and organizations to participate in this important project. Participation offers valuable insights and the opportunity to collaborate in collective actions that promote sustainable water sourcing.