In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Starbucks China pledges to replenish at least 1.5 million tons of water annually to Qiandao Lake, beginning 2030

core/paragraph

On World Water Day, Starbucks announced plans to become the first coffee retailer in China to pilot a water replenishment project to give back water used in operations. In partnership with global conservation organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Qiaodao Lake Water Replenishment Project will improve water quality in the local ecosystem by focusing on sustainable agriculture and wetlands restoration, replenishing at least 1.5 million tons<a href="#_ftn1" id="_ftnref1">[1]</a> of water a year by 2030, equivalent to about 600 Olympic sized swimming pools, enough to meet the annual water consumption needs of more than 23,000 people<a href="#_ftn2" id="_ftnref2">[2]</a>.

“As a coffee company, water is essential to Starbucks agricultural supply chain and store operations. We are committed to doing our part to protect China’s precious water resources. Working together with like-minded partners, our vision is to develop water replenishment into a viable solution, and inspire more parties to adapt it to other critical water basins across China,” said Julia Zhu, vice president, government affairs and social impact, Starbucks China.&nbsp;

“We are delighted to partner with Starbucks to pilot the Qiaodao Lake Water Replenishment Project. Water replenishment is an innovative concept that holds huge potential for complementing existing water conservation efforts and contributing to advancing sustainable economic and environmental development in China,” said Xu Jin, Director of Corporate Engagement, TNC China.

Water replenishment is a nature-based solution where companies ‘give back’ the amount of water used in operations by protecting surface water against human pollution, allowing water from rain, storms and rivers to naturally ‘replenish’ the local ecosystem.&nbsp;

The largest manmade freshwater lake in the Yangtze River Delta, Qiandao Lake is a vital water resource supplying potable water to 10 million residents in Hangzhou, Jiaxing and other neighboring areas in Zhejiang province. Traditional agriculture practices around the lake have led to increased soil erosion. Fertilizers and pesticides used also threaten the local water quality.

core/image

The Qiandao Lake Water Replenishment Project seeks to improve water quality through strengthening land management around the water source, while enhancing agricultural productivity. The project will work with farmers, providing toolkits around sustainable agricultural practices for three commonly cultivated crops in the area – pecans, tea and citrus – to help local farmers reduce soil erosion and surface runoff, while improving yield. With the support of academia and leading wetlands restoration experts, plans are also being created to restore two hectares of wetlands, equivalent to three standard size football fields. Restored wetlands will not only naturally filter off pollutants, but also comes with the additional benefit of enhancing local biodiversity.

The Qiaodao Lake Water Replenishment project marks Starbucks latest effort to reduce its water footprint to become a resource positive company. Globally, by 2030, the company is set to reduce and replenish water across its operations, packaging and agriculture supply chain by 50 percent, prioritizing action in some of the highest risk basins around the world. Come next month, Starbucks partners (employees) across the market will volunteer in water conservation activities as part of the company’s annual Global Month of Good program to serve local communities.

core/separator

<a href="#_ftnref1" id="_ftn1">[1]</a> Estimated based on 2022 pilot program by third party certification provider LimnoTech

<a href="#_ftnref2" id="_ftn2">[2]</a> China Water Resources Bulletin 2021, Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of China

Starbucks Becomes First Coffee Retailer in China to Invest in Replacing Water Used in Stores : Starbucks Stories Asia

twitter:card

Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Becomes First Coffee Retailer in China to Invest in Replacing Water Used in Stores

On World Water Day, Starbucks announced plans in China to replenish at least 1.5 million tons of water annually to Qiandao Lake.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2021/09/Shanghai-Greener-Store-3.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/china-water-replenishment/

twitter:description

twitter:image

twitter:title

Access to clean drinking water remains a pressing issue for people across the globe. That’s why Starbucks has partnered with Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit organization, to provide clean water access and hygiene education programs to communities around the world since 2011.

For World Water Day 2020, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a grant to Planet Water Foundation to provide access to clean, safe drinking water and handwashing stations for communities in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This grant was made possible through contributions from the sales of Ethos Water in Starbucks stores.

Recognizing the important role of schools at the center of rural communities, seven schools in each of the seven markets were selected as sites for an AquaTower – a community water filtration system. In addition to the installation of an AquaTower, Planet Water Foundation provides water health and hygiene educational materials and activities to the students, teachers and community members, which are tailored to the unique needs of each community.

Although the projects were initially delayed due to COVID-19, the need for access to clean water was more important than ever. With community service as an integral part of our culture, partners in each of the seven markets were given an opportunity to volunteer. Between World Water Day on March 22 and Global Handwashing Day on October 15, 2020, partners built the AquaTowers and led educational activities with students.

"I am very happy to take part in Starbucks activity for Global Handwashing Day. The improved health and hygiene behaviors have long-lasting effects on the children," said Danni, a Starbucks Indonesia partner.

With the completion of the seven AquaTowers in 2020, Planet Water Foundation, The Starbucks Foundation and partners were able to provide a safe water supply to schools, reaching more than 1,600 students and 12,600 people with over 4 million liters of clean water through January 2021.

core/gallery

Starbucks celebrates World Water Day : Starbucks Stories Asia

Since 2011, Starbucks has worked with the Planet Water Foundation to provide clean water to communities around the world.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2021/03/Thailand_DSC_8491.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-celebrates-world-water-day/

world water day

Starbucks Becomes First Coffee Retailer in China to Invest in Replacing Water Used in Stores

Starbucks celebrates World Water Day