AQUA4D is pleased to contribute to a total of 11 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations.
Guided by Ban Ki-moon’s famous statement, “We don’t have a Plan B because there’s no Planet B”, there are 17 SDGs in total, containing 169 targets, ranging from education to environment, sustainability to gender equality, from employment to health and well-being. More than 190 countries have now signed up to this collective vision to end poverty, hunger, inequality and protect the environment. The comprehensive list can be found at the United Nations Development Programme here.
AQUA4D is more than just a water treatment technology – it triggers a cascade of benefits which help restore soils, save water, conserve energy, and generally encourage sustainable transitions.
The Sustainable Development Goals to which AQUA4D contributes are:
ZERO HUNGER
Water treated by the AQUA4D® system consistently brings about increased yields of up to 20-30%. What’s more, nematodes are repelled by the system, which could have a huge impact on the 18% of global yields lost due to these pests.
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
By promoting dissolution of minerals, AQUA4D® irrigated water is healthier for plants and also eliminates infection-causing biofilm. In animal husbandry , the AQUA4D® system reduces the need of chemicals for livestock, while in Sustainable Buildings water systems no longer need to be treated with intrusive chemical processes.
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
With the AQUA4D® system, even hard or saline water can be effectively used for irrigation. This means that the best potable water can then be used by communities. Meanwhile, the system’s effects on biofilm and limescale mean cleaner and safer water systems whether used in irrigation, buildings or for animals.
AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
The AQUA4D® system can be easily connected to solar panel arrays, and requires minimal maintenance, with ROI in 6-24 months. On average, there is an estimated 50,000-150,000 kg CO2 reduction during the estimated lifetime of an AQUA4D® system. What’s more, with solar panels on our HQ roof, the AQUA4D® manufacturing process is actually carbon-positive.
DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Through improving productivity in agriculture, AQUA4D helps to promote sustained economic growth, notably in areas using poor quality water for irrigation. Additionally, in combatting soil salinization, use of AQUA4D® technology keeps cultivation on the same fields possible, boosting land productivity and economic growth.
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
AQUA4D is continuously collaborating with leading universities in scientific research promoting sustainable water treatment. In agriculture, technological progress is key to feeding the world population while producing more with less, with over half now living in cities. AQUA4D is working on the frontier of these technological challenges.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITY
The AQUA4D® system is completely sustainable, can be easily connected to solar panel arrays, and requires minimal maintenance. It can be seamlessly integrated with Ag 4.0 and into future farming solutions such as hydroponics and vertical farming.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Our systems increase a plant’s absorption of water and minerals, meaning growers can produce while use less water, less fertilizer, and fewer chemicals. This is part of our concept of “Circular Sustainability”: in negating the use of chemicals in water treatment, we keep systems cleaner while ensuring harmful substances do not enter soils or the water cycle.
CLIMATE ACTION
Our systems are produced responsibly at our HQ in Switzerland. Changing the structure of water allows for more efficient use, better absorption, and hence water conservation. More efficient irrigation entails less energy and emissions from pumping, and when compared with other technologies ours uses a tiny fraction of the electricity. AQUA4D® comfortably secures the triple bottom line of Planet, People, and Profit (Elkington, 1995).
LIFE ON LAND
Salinization is a major problem in irrigated agriculture, whereby salts saturate the soil, resulting in reduced yields and degraded lands. With a tenth of the world’s irrigated land damaged this is becoming a profound threat to food security. AQUA4D® is the only technology which efficiently alleviates salinity while using less water in the process, thus enabling us to sustainably rehabilitate lands across the world.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Through allowing a diversified cultivation of crop varieties and improving yields, AQUA4D® helps increase local food security. Through improving yields and quality of fruit and vegetables, our systems help developing countries increase their exports and their own goals. Lastly, through our collaboration with universities, NGOs, and food associations, we create shared value for producers, communities, and the lands they live on.
More about the Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Discover our Shared Value Plan for sustainable transitions: https://www.aqua4d.com/shared-value/
AQUA4D® system deployed in a strawberry greenhouse in Turkey
AQUA4D® installation at an almond orchard in California