Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK Wins Award for Nature-Based Solutions
A UK bottling business has secured external recognition for river restoration work that goes well beyond factory efficiency. Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK featured among finalists in the Nature-Based Solutions category at the Global Sustainability Awards 2026, organised by Reuters Events. The recognition follows a year of similar awards for catchment projects in Derbyshire and Pembrokeshire, where the company has linked operational water use to habitat recovery and flood resilience.
For businesses that withdraw water as part of their operations, the story highlights a shift in how water risk is managed. Rather than treating water purely as a compliance matter, some firms are now funding restoration projects that benefit entire watersheds. This approach carries implications for supply chain resilience, community relations, and the way environmental performance is assessed by customers and regulators.
Water stewardship is moving from technical reports to board-level strategy. The question for other businesses is whether similar commitments will become standard expectations in tenders, planning applications, and Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting.
Full certification achieved across global bottling network
On 17 March 2026, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages announced it had certified all 39 of its bottling sites worldwide to the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard. This is an independently audited framework that assesses how businesses manage water in their local catchments. Certification requires companies to measure water use, understand basin-level risk, engage stakeholders, and demonstrate measurable improvements in water governance.
Two sites reached Platinum level, the highest grade available. Buxton in the UK first achieved Platinum status in 2021 and retained it through recertification in 2024. Tunuyán in Argentina also reached Platinum during the same period. The remaining sites hold either Gold or Core certification depending on local context and project maturity.
The Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard operates on a tiered model. Core certification requires basic governance and stakeholder engagement. Gold and Platinum levels demand measurable basin-level outcomes, long-term targets, and third-party verification of catchment benefits. Consequently, the Platinum rating at Buxton reflects multi-year investment in river restoration alongside operational improvements.
Nestlé also extended its partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature to strengthen the scientific basis of its nature-based solutions. This collaboration supports project design in catchments where the company sources water, particularly where habitat degradation or flood risk affects water availability.
UK operations report efficiency gains and project expansion
Nestlé's UK and Ireland operations improved water-use efficiency by 18% since 2018 and by 66% since 2007, according to company reporting. These figures reflect reductions in water used per litre of product bottled. Efficiency gains came from upgraded equipment, leak detection, and process changes across bottling lines.
In Wales, the Narberth site in Pembrokeshire achieved Alliance for Water Stewardship Core certification in 2025. This followed habitat work at Wallis Pond, where the company desilted an old millpond to improve water quality, flood storage, and biodiversity. The project involved removing decades of accumulated sediment and restoring wetland margins to increase natural filtration.
Meanwhile, Buxton remains the company's most advanced UK site for water stewardship. Platinum certification there reflects river restoration projects in the surrounding Peak District catchment, alongside operational improvements at the bottling facility itself. The combination of factory-level efficiency and catchment-scale restoration forms the core of the company's water regeneration strategy.
Globally, Nestlé says it runs 70 water-related projects designed to protect, return, or restore more water than the company uses in its operations. These projects include wetland creation, river channel restoration, and reforestation in sensitive catchments. The UK projects form part of this wider portfolio but have attracted particular attention because of third-party awards and independent documentation by conservation organisations.
Derbyshire project restores salmon migration after century-long absence
One of the most documented UK examples is the River Ecclesbourne partnership in Derbyshire. Working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Chatsworth Estate, Nestlé funded the creation of a new channel to bypass Postern Mill weir. This opened 28 kilometres of river for fish migration, allowing Atlantic salmon to return after a 100-year absence.
The Wild Trout Trust documented the project's outcomes in detail. Removing the barrier allowed fish to access upstream spawning habitat that had been cut off since the early 20th century. In addition to salmon, the work benefited brown trout, grayling, and invertebrate populations. Improved flow dynamics also reduced siltation downstream and enhanced water quality during low-flow periods.
The project illustrates why the company's award recognition has centred on nature-based solutions rather than solely on factory-level efficiency. River restoration delivers measurable ecological outcomes that extend well beyond the operational footprint of a single site. For businesses in water-intensive sectors, this type of work can address catchment-level risk while improving relationships with regulators, environmental groups, and local communities.
In March 2026, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages won the Sustainable Use of Water category at the Footprint Awards, with the River Ecclesbourne project cited as a key example. This followed the Global Sustainability Awards recognition and reinforced the pattern of external validation for catchment-scale interventions.
Reuters Events introduces dedicated water stewardship category
The Global Sustainability Awards 2026, organised by Reuters Events, introduced a new Leadership in Water Stewardship Award. The category was designed to recognise companies that embed water stewardship into core business strategy and day-to-day operations, rather than treating it as a standalone corporate social responsibility initiative.
Criteria for the award included governance structures, measurable targets, basin-risk assessments, and stakeholder engagement. Judges looked for evidence of third-party verification, long-term commitments, and outcomes that benefit communities and ecosystems beyond the company's own operations. This mirrors growing expectations in public procurement and ESG frameworks, where water risk management is increasingly scrutinised.
Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK appeared in the Nature-Based Solutions category alongside projects from ClimeCo, Pertamina Patra Niaga, Msheireb Properties, and veritree. Coverage in Sustainability magazine highlighted the company's water regeneration commitment and its alignment with emerging standards for corporate watershed responsibility.
The award cycle reflects broader trends in how environmental performance is assessed. Water is no longer treated purely as an input cost or compliance matter. Instead, businesses are expected to demonstrate how they contribute to basin-level resilience, particularly in regions facing water stress, drought, or flooding. For UK businesses, this shift has implications for planning permissions, environmental permits, and supply chain risk management.
What this means for water-intensive businesses in the UK
The recognition received by Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK signals that catchment-scale thinking is becoming a competitive advantage. Businesses that can demonstrate measurable contributions to river health, flood resilience, or habitat recovery may find it easier to secure permits, satisfy procurement criteria, and manage long-term water availability risks.
Water abstraction licences in England and Wales are under increasing scrutiny. The Environment Agency has tightened conditions in catchments where groundwater or surface water is over-allocated. Companies that combine operational efficiency with catchment restoration can make stronger cases for licence renewals and may face less opposition from environmental groups or community stakeholders.
Public sector buyers are also raising expectations. Procurement Policy Note 06/21 requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts above £5 million to publish carbon reduction plans. Although PPN 06/21 focuses on carbon, similar frameworks for water and biodiversity are under discussion. Businesses that can evidence third-party certification, such as the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard, may be better positioned when water stewardship becomes a formal tender requirement.
Supply chain risk is another driver. Manufacturers, food producers, and processors depend on reliable water availability. Droughts in 2022 and 2023 disrupted production at sites across southern and eastern England. Firms that invest in catchment resilience reduce the likelihood of supply interruptions and improve relationships with regulators who control abstraction licences.
Community relations matter too. Local opposition can delay planning applications, complicate permit renewals, and damage reputation. Projects that deliver visible benefits, such as restored rivers or improved flood storage, build social licence and reduce friction with parish councils, environmental groups, and residents.
Finally, investor scrutiny is intensifying. ESG reporting frameworks increasingly require disclosure of water risk, particularly in sectors such as food, beverages, textiles, and chemicals. Third-party certification provides independent verification of performance, which strengthens credibility with investors, auditors, and ratings agencies.
Core facts for UK businesses considering water stewardship
- Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK achieved Alliance for Water Stewardship certification at all UK sites, with Buxton holding Platinum status since 2021.
- The company's UK and Ireland operations improved water-use efficiency by 18% since 2018 and 66% since 2007.
- River restoration projects in Derbyshire and Pembrokeshire delivered measurable ecological outcomes, including the return of Atlantic salmon after 100 years.
- The Global Sustainability Awards 2026 introduced a dedicated Leadership in Water Stewardship category, reflecting growing industry focus on basin-level risk management.
- Third-party certification to frameworks such as the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard can support planning applications, procurement bids, and investor reporting.
- Water abstraction licences in England and Wales face tightening conditions, particularly in over-allocated catchments.
- Public procurement frameworks are expected to expand beyond carbon to include water and biodiversity criteria in future updates.
Strategic considerations for businesses with water dependencies
Businesses that rely on water abstraction should review their current governance arrangements. Water risk registers need to cover more than operational efficiency. They should include basin-level threats such as drought, over-abstraction by other users, pollution, and changing regulatory conditions. A robust risk assessment will identify which catchments face the highest stress and where early action may be needed.
Certification to the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard or similar frameworks provides external validation of performance. This is particularly useful for businesses that operate in sensitive catchments, source water from aquifers with declining recharge rates, or face scrutiny from environmental regulators. Certification also creates a clear framework for setting targets, measuring progress, and engaging stakeholders.
Catchment partnerships offer a practical route into restoration work. Many rivers in England and Wales have catchment partnerships led by wildlife trusts, rivers trusts, or local authorities. These partnerships coordinate habitat projects, flood management schemes, and water quality improvements. Businesses can contribute funding, staff time, or technical expertise in exchange for social licence, improved relationships with regulators, and measurable environmental outcomes.
Nature-based solutions can complement engineered infrastructure. Wetland creation, tree planting, and river channel restoration improve natural water storage, reduce flood peaks, and enhance water quality through biological filtration. These interventions often cost less than hard infrastructure and deliver co-benefits for biodiversity, carbon storage, and amenity value. For businesses with land holdings or control over catchment areas, nature-based solutions can form part of a long-term resilience strategy.
Reporting and disclosure are becoming more demanding. Frameworks such as CDP Water Security, the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, and the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations all require detailed water data. Businesses that lack robust monitoring systems will struggle to meet these requirements. Investing in metering, data management, and third-party assurance now will reduce reporting burdens later.
Finally, water stewardship should align with broader environmental commitments. Businesses working towards net zero under our net-zero program for carbon reporting compliance can integrate water projects into their wider sustainability strategies. River restoration, wetland creation, and catchment tree planting all sequester carbon while addressing water risk. This integrated approach strengthens business cases, simplifies governance, and avoids the risk of siloed environmental initiatives that lack strategic coherence.
Where to find authoritative guidance on water stewardship
The Environment Agency publishes detailed guidance on water abstraction licensing, catchment management plans, and environmental permitting. Businesses operating in England should review the agency's catchment data to understand local water stress levels and licensing conditions.
The Alliance for Water Stewardship provides the international standard for water stewardship certification. The framework includes tools for assessing basin risk, setting targets, and engaging stakeholders. Certification is available at Core, Gold, and Platinum levels, depending on project maturity and measurable outcomes.
The Rivers Trust coordinates a network of local rivers trusts across the UK. These organisations lead catchment partnerships, deliver restoration projects, and provide technical advice to businesses seeking to improve water management. Many trusts welcome corporate partners and can help design projects that meet both ecological and business objectives.
For businesses seeking training and internal capacity building, SBS Academy training on Scope 3 emissions includes modules on water footprinting and supply chain environmental risk. Understanding water use across the value chain is essential for businesses facing ESG disclosure requirements or procurement questions from large customers.
Finally, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association offers technical guidance on sustainable drainage systems, nature-based flood management, and water-sensitive urban design. These resources are particularly useful for businesses undertaking site development, infrastructure projects, or facility expansions where water management is a planning condition.