01/04/2026.- On 31 March 2026, Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) officially launched Sources for Nature in Brussels, marking the beginning of a new collaborative effort to strengthen biodiversity protection around Europe’s natural mineral water sources.
Bringing together companies, associations, EU representatives and civil society organisations, the public session of the kick-off event set a clear direction: protecting water means protecting nature, and this requires cooperation.
The event highlighted why action is urgent. Europe’s freshwater ecosystems are under increasing pressure, while businesses and communities alike depend on healthy and resilient water cycles.
Speakers from WWF, IUCN, the European Commission and NMWE underlined a shared message: biodiversity protection cannot happen in isolation. It requires partnerships across sectors, long-term commitment, and a strong policy framework at EU level.
At the heart of the discussion were the IUCN Recommendations for the natural mineral water sector, a practical framework designed to help companies assess their impact, set meaningful biodiversity targets and implement measurable actions on the ground.
Sources for Nature now brings that framework to life
Seven companies and two national associations will implement the recommendations across 17 locations in 10 European countries over the next two years. From wetland restoration and regenerative agriculture to habitat protection and catchment-level cooperation, participating sites reflect the diversity of Europe’s landscapes, and of the sector itself.
The goal is not only to act locally, but also to learn collectively: sharing experiences, identifying challenges, refining methodologies and demonstrating what effective biodiversity action looks like in practice.
The enabling role of EU policy
The event also emphasised the importance of a stable and ambitious European policy framework to support private sector action. EU water and nature legislation plays a crucial role in driving resilience, restoring ecosystems and creating the conditions for long-term investment.
Looking ahead
The launch event marks the start of a structured two-year journey, culminating in a final conference in 2028 where participants will share results and lessons learned.
With Sources for Nature, the European natural mineral water sector takes a concrete step forward, moving from ambition to implementation, and from individual initiatives to collective impact.