China’s rapid economic growth has led to a multitude of environmental issues. Industrialisation is causing environmental degradation, intensifying water scarcity, reducing water quality and increasing water pollution. Many industries are located within ‘Industrial Parks’, zones developed specifically for industrial development and one of the largest contributors to national GDP. These zones use large volumes of water in a range of production processes and release polluted water.

The Chinese Government has in recent years adopted strong policies to turn around this environmental crisis. It now emphasises development that balances economic growth with environmental protection and remediation and has initiated legal action against polluters. This political pressure has driven many industries to look for better models of water management such as water stewardship.

The concept of water stewardship emerged in Australia during the Millennium Drought, in response to pressure on industries to demonstrate sustainable water management. The system is designed to recognise and promote sustainable water management and help businesses and governments collaborate to improve their water use. Key pillars of the system are a Standard which outlines what good water stewardship is and Certification for recognising and rewarding good water stewards. The evolution of water stewardship from an Australian concept to a global system for managing water risk has recently been captured in AWP publication titled ‘The evolution of water stewardship: an Australian Perspective’ – available on the AWP website.

The convergence of China’s move to improve water management within Industrial Parks, and the framework that water stewardship provides to do this was recognised through Australia’s established relationship with China on environmental issues. In 2015, AWS established a water stewardship partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) China, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Initial work focussed on adoption of the water stewardship Standard and Certification by Ecolab, a company that provides water, hygiene and energy technologies.