UK supermarkets and suppliers have committed to take “collective action” to safeguard water supplies in Spain, after the country was ravaged by this year’s droughts.
Retailers including Aldi, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons have signed up to the new initiative, overseen by climate change organisation Wrap.
With more than a third of fruit & veg imports to the UK coming from Spain – more than any other country – it has been among those worst hit by lack of rainfall, with restrictions since last winter and reservoirs falling to just 40% capacity.
Businesses are set to target their action on key growing areas in Andalucia, Murcia and Valencia and the project will include the introduction of nature-based solutions to ease water scarcity or pollution; grower engagement; strengthening certification schemes and working together to improve overall water governance.
Cranswick Continental Foods, Nestlé and Britvic are among suppliers taking part in the move, which comes under Wrap’s Water Roadmap and Courtauld Commitment 2030, which aims to ensure 50% of the UK’s fresh fruit & veg is sourced from areas with sustainable water management.
Previous collective action areas have been launched by Wrap in countries including Kenya, South Africa and the UK.
“We’re thrilled to be launching our new Courtauld 2030 Water Roadmap collective action project in southern Spain, in partnership with over a dozen leading food & drink businesses,” said Wrap director of business collaboration Catherine David.
“This is a ground-breaking initiative backed by retailers, and food and drink manufacturers,” she added.
“This will be our seventh collective action project under the Water Roadmap and will bring businesses and stakeholders together to address severe water risk in southern Spain. Collective action projects like this one are central to delivering our Courtauld 2030 goal, to ensure that at least half the fresh food and drink consumed in the UK comes from areas of sustainable water management.”
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