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On October 31, 2024, Water Footprint Implementation (WFI) welcomed representatives from its coalition partners in the Netherlands to their office in The Hague to officially sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Coalition of Willing, including WFI, WaterWorX, Blue Deal, Acacia Water, World Waternet, Ap Verheggen, and the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), solidifying their commitment to the Water Footprint Compensation Initiative.

Jaap Feil, Managing Partner of Water Footprint Implementation set the stage for the signing with a comprehensive introduction to the concept and goals of water compensation. Jaap introduced the concept and goals of water compensation, highlighting the urgent need to address global water footprints across industries, communities, and ecosystems. He outlined the “a litre for a litre” principle launched at the 2023 UN Water Conference, presented various water compensation project prototypes, and introduced the “Coalition of Willing,” aiming to launch Water Footprint Compensation in 2026 at the third UN Water Conference.

Following the introductory presentation, representatives from each partner organization signed the official partnership agreement, underscoring their joint commitment to taking actionable steps in water footprint compensation. The signing marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration aimed at providing innovative solutions for measuring, managing, and offsetting water footprints. 

Each partner brings unique expertise and resources to the coalition: 

• WaterWorX focuses on sustainable water solutions and community empowerment in water-scarce regions. 

• Blue Deal emphasizes effective water management partnerships, especially in urban areas facing increasing water demands. 

• Acacia Water offers insights into groundwater management, supporting sustainable water resource planning. 

• World Waternet, as a leading water authority, provides valuable technical and infrastructural knowledge in sustainable water management. 

• Ap Verheggen brings innovative solutions and awareness through his artistic approach to water and environmental issues. 

• The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) connects Dutch water organizations with a global network, fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation on water challenges. 

This coalition is dedicated to building scalable, collaborative solutions for water footprint management and compensation. Together, we aim to develop and implement frameworks that encourage businesses and communities to monitor and compensate for their water usage, thereby reducing environmental impact and promoting global water equity. 

This signing ceremony serves as a promising start for the coalition’s efforts. Through this partnership we will work towards making water compensation a standard practice, advocating for water stewardship that goes beyond simple conservation to actively restoring and maintaining water resources.