In this follow-up to our last episode on climate resilience, Host Beatrice Bizarro, Water Stewardship Technology Lead at HPC Italy and the Inogen Alliance Global Water Working Group Leader, sits down with Ilaria Troncia, Sustainability Consultant, HPC, to discuss key takeaways from this year’s World Water Week event.
In this follow-up to our last episode on climate resilience, Host Beatrice Bizarro, Water Stewardship Technology Lead at HPC Italy and the Inogen Alliance Global Water Working Group Leader, sits down with Ilaria Troncia, Sustainability Consultant, HPC, to discuss key takeaways from this year’s World Water Week event. The episode highlights the critical need to integrate climate and water management, emphasizing resilience, collaboration, and effective communication.
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Guest Quote:
”Water stewardship isn't just a technical exercise about conservation or compliance. It's really about understanding the real, often hidden, interconnection between nature, people, businesses, and also different levels of these three elements.”
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Time Stamps
00:32 The Importance of Water in Climate Conversations
01:32 World Water Week Congress Insights
02:53 Experiences and Learnings from World Water Week
07:13 Challenges in Water Stewardship
12:36 Defining Success in Water Stewardship
17:28 Key Lessons and Future Directions
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Sponsor copy
Rethinking EHS is brought to you by the Inogen Alliance. Inogen Alliance is a global network of 70+ companies providing environment, health, safety and sustainability services working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. Visit http://www.inogenalliance.com/ to learn more.
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Links
Inogenalliance.com/podcast
Beatrice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-bizzaro/
Ilaria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilaria-troncia/
[00:00:00] Beatrice: Welcome to our bonus episode on Water Stewardship with rethinking EHS and Intergen Alliance podcast. My name is Beatrice Bizarro. I am Water Stewardship Technology lead at HPC Italy, but I also have a role within Inogen Alliance as a leadership team member and lead of the Global Water Working Group.
Today I'm here with yet another member of the water working group. This time we have Ilaria Troncia a sustainability consultant and colleague from HPC Italy. Welcome, aria. I'm very happy to have you. In our last episode, which I hope you all had a chance to listen to, we talked about how water stewardship is becoming a very useful tool, a best practice approach, especially for many multinational organizations and companies which are aiming to enhance the resilience against the impacts of climate change on WhatsApp.
Over the last few years we have, and [00:01:00] thankfully I would say, been seeing water being brought much more into the climate conversation when historically the two were treated in a rathers way. Now, however, there is a lot of attention on, on the deep interconnection between water and and climates, the water climate nexus, and it is essential to look at what climates and and water are, are acting as together.
Especially when we think about water management, water resilience, and adaptation strategies. The link that I just mentioned between water and and climate was actually the focus of this year's World Water Week Congress, which carried the theme water for climate action. For those of you who not be, might not be familiar.
World Water Week is a major annual global event, which is held every year in Stockholm, usually at the end of August. And over the years, I have personally seen it grow and it [00:02:00] has indeed grown into one of the world's. Leading water congresses, providing a platform, providing a space, a space for discussion, a space which really aims to foster innovation and ideas to build, of course, greater partnerships, but also to aim to work more collaboratively to towards greater water resilience from a global standpoint.
Erio who is here with me today was amongst a number of colleagues from the Indigen Alliance, woods Working Group that actually attended. World Water Week Elara. First of all, I am so glad that you are able to attend. Personally, it's World Water Week is one of my favorite water congresses, and I'm even happier that you are able to share your experience with us today.
So, first and foremost, how did it go and, uh, you know, what stood out to you the most from, you know, from your experience during the, the week as a, as a young and brilliant water practitioner that you are? [00:03:00]
[00:03:00] Ilaria: Thank you. Thank you Bear. Hi everyone. Hello, and thank you for having me here. I am really happy to join this conversation because for the first time I attended the work water week and being in Stockholm was so special.
The city, you know, is surrounded by water. I'm coming from a water place, so I felt like it was. The perfect place to reflect on global water challenges. So thank you for this first question. I have to say that what really struck me at this week was, first of all, the scale and diversity of voices in the room.
You know, you have global corporations, governments, NGOs, scientists, local communities, representative also from governments, institution. So it felt really. Great and inspiring to be around this community of people. And if I have to think about, one of the biggest high opener for me, [00:04:00] it was certainly how many companies still don't, let's say.
Um, if we understand their own risks about water, of course. So through panelists and workshop, I saw how critical is still to combine global perspective with local knowledge. And for example, if you think about materiality assessment, it can reveal what are challenges in this sun driven basin that comparing never considered.
And in this regard, I realized that. Even when you have data and tools without real engagement with local stakeholders like farmers, community leaders, indigenous group, you can't really turn plans into actions. So in the end, that's when it hit me. Water stewardship isn't just a technical exercise about, uh, conservation or compliance is really about understanding the real.
But also often [00:05:00] hidden, uh, interconnection between nature people, businesses, and also different level of these three elements. So yes, I think in the end, uh, knowledge. Alone isn't enough. Uh, you need local engagement, you need relationships, and you need also the courage to act fast once you know what's happening in amazing, uh, on the otherwise, this stays on paper, let's say.
[00:05:31] Beatrice: Thanks Aria. I, I couldn't agree more on you with you. And you know, to be honest, when I was reading a little bit about how this year's World War Week. Came out in the sense in terms of numbers, in terms of participation, in terms of sessions. I was, you know, pleasantly surprised to learn that I think about 13,000 participants from public and private sectors, from NGOs attended both virtually and in person representing [00:06:00] something like more than 180 countries.
So incredible numbers. The number that actually kind of stuck with me the most was. To read that almost 40% of of those participants were under 35. So many of your peers, aria. Exactly. I know when, when I read that, you know, when I read that and when I saw those numbers, the first thing that came to my head was, you know, look how much attention the theme Water for Climate Action has triggered.
Not from, not just from water professionals, but also from advocates, from, from companies, from government representatives, from enthusiasts all over the world. And no doubt that this attention comes from concern. A concern on how the effects of climate change are, are, are leading to often very dramatic changes that we are seeing every day all over the world on water availability, distribution, and especially on the behavior of water elra.
I'm curious to know, I mean. What was some of [00:07:00] the biggest challenges that, you know, were discussed during World Water Week? And as a consultant? How, how do you feel that the various sessions that you attended helped you think about, you know, potential solutions for the future?
[00:07:15] Ilaria: Of course, for sure. One of the recovering teams was the lack of integration.
So we talked about the several voices attending the the World Water Week and the representation of different groups in the society. Young people, women. But yet we have a problem in integrating this information, so. Often science, finance governance operates in silo us. So during several session I saw many inspiring example of nature-based solution.
For example, replanting for reduce ero for reducing erosion wetland restoration to improve water quality on paper. Of course these are [00:08:00] perfect interventions, but the moment you deep dive this, you realize that success. Of this project's defense on government financing, local buy-in, and especially monitoring.
So for example, one story that really stuck with me was this project in Rash Sudan, where local communities and in particular women were on the front line agriculture work. As often happens. Yet, initially they were excluded from the decision making. So only way when they were actively involved, the product really achieved tangible results.
So this example reinforced in me the the sense of. Stakeholder engagement, not just being a nice to have thing, but as an essential part of, of the story. Because in the end it's what's. Let's say drives the real impact. [00:09:00] Then, for example, another challenges was related to finance. It appears that this is really an topic right now, so we were discussing a lot also during the latest AWS forum.
And I really understand why, because yes, we have ideas, we have models, we have tools, but funding is still limited on water issue. So also several sessions during the world Water, we helped me think that in a more strategical way and about flexible financing mechanism, for example, that can bridge the gap between private investments and public priorities.
[00:09:41] Beatrice: You know, LA, when you were speaking and talking about. You know, the challenges that you just described. I, you know, I, I couldn't help thinking myself of some of the hurdles that. Personally, some of my old clients had in, in, um, in putting into action and putting into place their own water stewardship projects and, and, and [00:10:00] practices, especially in certain geographies.
And, and one example that I would like to share, and it's very similar to what you perceived at World War Week, was a very big difficulty in, um, in engaging stakeholders. So it resonates very much with what you said in many countries. As you mentioned it, it's a big struggle, engaging stakeholders due to a, a variety of reasons.
The lack of general awareness on the theme. Many people don't even know what stewardship means, the the poor government's policies, especially when it comes to water. Lack of support from the public sector, lack of investments, as you mentioned. So the opportunity to. Share a discussion, engage with stakeholders, create something big, which is long lasting, that generates meaningful long-term value.
It can be very complicated even when one starts with the best intentions. However, again, as you mentioned, as you perceive from World Water Week, the key to success is [00:11:00] clearly acting collectively, so actively connecting and actively working in partnership. A client, uh, in particular, um, I, I remember following it a couple of months ago, executed a, a very ambitious project in, in Turkey, co-designing and co implementing, as you were saying, uh, specific water solution.
And they did this together with a local consortium of farmers as well as with key figures of the public sector. So this, let's say this association of, of, uh, stakeholders created greater security and supports from a governance point of view, but it also catalyzed the greater sense of ownership in, within the local farmers and within the local community.
And that's where that engagement really generated, uh, an active player role in the project. So people were, had total ownership. They were totally aware of what was [00:12:00] happening and also the long-term benefits. And I think this is really what ensures key success in these kind of water stewardship projects.
Ira, based on your observations and, and, and learnings from this year's World Water Week, how are others defining success? For example, how others may be identifying meaningful outcomes in their water stewardship journeys. And, and please feel free to share any case studies or, or any examples that might come to your mind.
[00:12:31] Ilaria: Absolutely, yes. This outcomes issue is still a challenge for businesses because, uh, my perception is that meaningful outcomes nowadays are not more. Are more sorry than numbers and KPIs, so they are. They have to be tangible improvements for both the communities and the ecosystem, and we need also the governance and finance and parts to sustain them.
[00:13:00] As I was saying. So at the week, a weakness is several stories of projects that only succeed because they consider also social inclusion, legal framework and monitoring. But from the very first start, because. The, the issue with that monitoring is that takes time, especially when you have to combine different layers of, of, of, let's say, understanding.
So it's not about only water. The biodiversity are g raising in terms of topics connected with, with the water, but also, like we were saying, the climate, the climate resilience. So all these things need to have a common baseline. And they need to be addressed from the start as a unique stylist, as I was saying, so for example, I witnessed this, um, a story about early warning, warning system, inro prone areas.
Where [00:14:00] basically was most exec effective when community themselves were actively involved, not only in creating the awareness, but really in data collection and response planning. So this was very, very interesting to, to to know, and yes. In the end, success is about translating, let's say, global commitments into these local impacts.
It's also what we trying to do at Keynote Journal Alliance, so ensuring that these intervention are both socially equitable, scientifically validated, and also economically feasible. And another lesson I, I would say, is about accountability. I heard, um, stories from several businesses. That set science-based targets for nature without independent validation at the start.
So this is where you are missing a, [00:15:00] a piece of the picture, if not a half of the picture. So the targets need credibility or there is to be symbolic read and transformative really. So what stuck me the most in the end was that real impact happens. At the intersection, let's say, between the knowledge, the governance, and the community, and without all these three, even with the best intention, like you were saying before, I think the aspect
[00:15:28] Beatrice: regarding target setting is so important because often when you know we're working, and I always see what is stewardship as a journey, when we're working towards something which is not short term.
It's a long-term journey. We need to make sure that, you know, our lights at the end of the tunnel is, is there, it's focused and we know the road that, you know, we wanna spend to achieve it. And without targets, that's always impossible because we need to be able to monitor, we need to be able to improve, and we need to be [00:16:00] able to critically see if things are not working in order to correct them.
So I'm very much aligned with what, with what you were saying. You know, I think the two of us can probably, uh, go on talking for the, for the entire afternoon. But, uh, being a little bit conscious on, on time, I, I will ask you one last question to wrap up this, um, this bonus episode. So looking ahead, what lessons from this year's World Water Week will shape your approach as water stewardship practitioner as a consultant to how water stewardship is moving forward, especially in relation and with attention to the water climate nexus.
[00:16:41] Ilaria: I. I thought about, uh, this, uh, so much from, uh, from when I came home, uh, from there was a week, and I have to say that I like to think that there are three main lessons that I will carry into my work and in my, in my life. The [00:17:00] first is that. Resilience must be central. And you know, we heard a lot and we talk a lot and we listen a lot about resilience, but this is really something that we need to integrate in our way of doing things.
So it's not just environmental, first of all, that needs to be also social and economic resilience. So companies and governments need to assess. Whether it's a risk as a prerequisite really for any investments, because this avoids bigger issue and also costs, especially for business, but businesses, but also for governments for the near future.
And this is really, this really resonate with the the climate nexus. Second collaboration. It's really not negotiable. So global frameworks, local expertise, NGOs, financial institution, everyone must work together to turn this knowledge into [00:18:00] actions. We have now digital tools and AI that can help but this out really only if using combination with the community insights.
And third but not least, communication matters. And I will say it's essential. We need to translate the message, the science message to political actors in our cases, businesses and communities that not only can understand. But they can act upon. So the, we reinforce in me really that even if we have tools, data, and ideas to moving forward from conversation to actions, we need pragmatic answers from governance and.
Also, we need courage though. I think in the end, water stewardship is about really connecting people science policies to [00:19:00] protect a resource that underpins really every aspect of our everyday lives from food industries. But in this nowadays, let's say, I really think it's also important for peace and equity.
[00:19:15] Beatrice: I think you could not have concluded this bonus episode. Any, any better? Thank you so much, aria, for this time spent together. Thank you for sharing these very valuable insights and, and takeaways, and next year I am coming with you, so I, I wanna be there once again. It's such an incredible event and, uh, hearing you speak, I realize that it resonates with the work that we are doing every day.
With our clients, with, with our environments, with the community that surrounds us. And it's, it's nice to hear that it's shared, you know, the commitment is shared. Exactly. There's so many people out there that are working with us, and sometimes I know it, it might feel a bit overwhelming, but, you know, the road, it's, it's long, but I think there's a big community of water experts out there that are [00:20:00] working.
To really make this planet hopefully more sustainable and with a no, with no expiry date. So as, um, let's say concluding remark, it is very clear. I, I really hope to everyone that tuned in and listened to this bonus episode and last week's episode that we cannot expect to resolve and prevent long-term water challenges and climate change effects by working alone.
Water security and risk mitigation is, uh, it's a shared commitment and it has to be shared collectively with each and every one of us contributing, and everyone should do their part. No, no matter how small. For more information on the Intergen Alliance Water Working Group, on our services, on our case studies, make sure to visit our website@inogenalliance.com.