Natural Mineral Waters Europe and IUCN launch a tool to protect biodiversity in the catchment areas around water sources
Brussels, 22/05/2025 – In collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE), has developed a guidance document aimed at supporting the protection of biodiversity across the natural mineral water sector. Entitled “Biodiversity in Natural Mineral Waters: Measuring the Sector’s Contribution to Nature Positive” the report provides guidance to help producers maximise their positive contribution to biodiversity preservation.
The initiative represents a significant milestone in NMWE’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. For decades, natural mineral and spring water producers have been protecting the catchment areas around their sources, safeguarding the ecosystems which provide clean, plentiful freshwater. Their efforts are now being formalised and scaled up through a collaborative, science-based approach with the IUCN.
The new guidance will support NMWE members—including national associations, multinational corporations, and small-scale mineral and spring water producers—in shaping biodiversity strategies tailored to their specific contexts. The framework will help companies assess their biodiversity interactions, meet legal and voluntary requirements, and contribute to regional and global goals. including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Alessandro Pasquale, President of NMWE: “NMWE’s collaboration with IUCN reflects our sector’s deep-rooted values and long-term vision. We recognise that protecting biodiversity is essential not only to the integrity of our product, but also to the resilience of our planet. Natural mineral water companies depend on clean and abundant freshwater – a resource supported by healthy ecosystems. These ecosystems regulate water quality, maintain reliable flows and ensure the long-term viability of water sources.”
James Dalton, Global Director, IUCN Water and Wetlands Team: “Natural mineral water producers have an important role to play as stewards of freshwater ecosystems, which is why IUCN partnered with NMWE to co-develop some practical guidance for their members to contribute to nature positive actions through their policies and practices. The guide is the culmination of a 2-year collaboration, and it is critical to maintain the momentum initiated with this work if we are to catalyse the change needed to safeguard European basins.”
While the framework provides common indicators and guidance, each company is encouraged to tailor its strategy to its specific context. This adaptability ensures that biodiversity action is both meaningful and achievable.
The guidance also promotes collaboration at the watershed level, encouraging partnerships that restore ecosystems, protect key habitats and align local actions with broader environmental goals. In this way, the natural mineral water sector can play a leading role in the transition to nature-positive business models.
Patricia Fosselard, Secretary General NMWE: “With this achievement, we are happy to meet a commitment that NMWE took under the Code of Conduct for Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices to support its members on their sustainability transition. In the next step, we will focus on dissemination and partnership building.”