Collaboration with Pronatura to Restore Water Balance in Critically Important Area
In the midst of a severe water crisis affecting much of Mexico’s Valley of Mexico, initiatives aimed at restoring the water balance have gained strategic importance. Procter & Gamble (P&G) announced the implementation of its global Water Positive Future program in Mexico, aiming to return more water to the environment than it consumes in critical zones.
Background on P&G and its Water Conservation Efforts
Procter & Gamble, a multinational consumer goods corporation, has been actively working on water conservation since 2010. The company has successfully reduced its water consumption per unit of production by 25% in its plants and currently recycles over 5 billion liters of water annually. However, P&G recognizes that more than 60% of its environmental impact comes from the use of its products in consumers’ homes.
To address this, P&G has developed innovative formulas for its products that enable water savings without compromising performance. These include detergents with shorter wash cycles and cleaning products requiring less rinsing.
Partnership with Pronatura for the Sierra de Guadalupe Project
The Sierra de Guadalupe project is a collaboration between P&G and Pronatura México, an organization with over 40 years of experience in conservation. This partnership aims to enhance the resilience of the ecosystem through actions that capture, infiltrate, and conserve rainwater. These efforts will directly benefit the aquifers supplying millions of people in the metropolitan area.
Key Components of the Sierra de Guadalupe Project
- Natural Infrastructure for Water: The project includes the construction of 80 check dams made from stone and metal mesh. These structures retain sediments, reduce soil erosion, and slow down water flow, facilitating its infiltration into the ground. This natural approach improves water quality, promotes aquifer recharge, and protects regional biodiversity.
- Long-term Impact Strategy: P&G’s strategy extends beyond immediate interventions. The company has already achieved a 25% reduction in water consumption per unit of production since 2010 and now recycles over 5 billion liters annually. P&G continues to develop water-saving product formulas that maintain performance without excessive water use.
- Soil and Vegetation Conservation: The project also includes efforts to conserve soils and vegetation, mitigating climate change effects, reducing flood risks, and enhancing vegetation cover in the park.
Pronatura México’s Perspective on the Partnership
Kathy Gregoire, Executive Director of Pronatura México, emphasized the importance of such alliances for scaling up solutions: “Restoring soil, retaining water, and strengthening community resilience requires investment and collaboration. Having partners like P&G enables us to generate real and lasting benefits for both nature and people.”
P&G’s Global Commitment to Sustainability
With the goal of achieving a positive water balance by 2030, P&G has initiated 18 restoration projects in priority regions worldwide. The Sierra de Guadalupe project in Mexico reaffirms P&G’s commitment to sustainability as an integral part of its business model.
