Water Footprinting Workshop

One-day workshop on Water footprinting: principles, methods and guidelines for A new tool to better manage scar c e and finite water resources in an increasingly competitive and uncertain environment

Water footprinting is becoming a recognised mechanism for business organisations to assess their water-related risks and opportunities, demonstrate their environmental stewardship and gain access to premium markets. It also provides an analytical tool to address sensitive issues around efficient and equitable water allocation, to foster strategic dialogues between different agencies, organisations and local stakeholders, and to inform regional and national water management planning in public sector. However, whilst the potential benefits of water footprint studies are clear, and have been proven in a range of industry contexts, application of different water footprint methodologies and practices requires further consideration to ensure use of the most appropriate approach(es).

The New Zealand Life Cycle Management (NZLCM) Centre in collaboration with Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is organising a one-day workshop to clarify the issues around choice of water footprint methodologies and practices. The workshop aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of key water footprint principles, knowledge of the emerging water footprinting methodologies with an emphasis on case studies, and guidelines for application of water footprinting in private and public sectors. It will also provide an overview of different global water initiatives, and highlight the key topics and trends in recent debates. Invited speakers from academia, industry and business will share their experience with pilot water footprint studies in their organisations.

The invited speakers include Dr. Sarah McLaren (Director, NZ Life Cycle Management Centre), Dr. Brent Clothier (Science Group Leader, Plant and Food Research), Mr. Alec Tang (Principal Consultant and Global Lead for Integrated Water Management Strategic Advisory Services, Environmental Resources Management, Auckland), Dr. Ranvir Singh (Senior Lecturer, Massey University) and Dr. Marlies Zonderland-Thomassen (AgResearch).

The workshop will significantly benefit participants from both the private and public sector who are involved in the development of strategies to address the growing water management issues affecting businesses and informing public policy development.

This workshop is organised on Monday 1 ^st September 2014 from 9.00 am to 5.0 pm at James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Wellington) coinciding with the NZLCA Conference on 2 ^nd and 3 ^rd September, 2014. More information at www.lcaconference.org.nz

Participants can register and attend the workshop as a part of the NZ LCA Conference 2014 or as a specialised stand-alone workshop. The fee is NZ$249 for attending the workshop.

For registration and administrative enquiries, contact: Ms. Kate Saxton E-mail: K.R.Saxton@massey.ac.nz

For queries about the content of the workshop, contact either Dr Ranvir Singh or Mr Alec Tang at:
Ranvir Singh, R.Singh@massey.ac.nz, phone: 06 3569099 Ex.84868
Alec Tang, Alec.Tang@erm.com, phone: 021 655 879

View the flyer here.