At a recent Swiss Water Partnership event hosted at AQUA4D, we had the pleasure of welcoming Matias Manriquez from the Swiss Embassy in Santiago, Chile. He gave key insights into how Swiss technology is combatting resource scarcity in one of the most water-stressed regions in the world, including important new initiatives and certifications which will streamline and incentivize water efficiency in Chile.
INTRODUCTION
The Swiss Embassy in Chile has long sought a convergence of interests between different federal agencies, including the SDC, S-GE and the SWP, along with private companies and technologies.
Important elements of this are the SuizAgua program and the Certificado Azul (Blue Certificate), initiatives which we will outline here, before looking at what we would like to achieve in the future.
Additionally, Swiss-made technologies like AQUA4D® are also now playing an important role in helping realize the goals behind these initiatives.
SUIZAGUA / “EL AGUA NOS UNE”
“El Agua Nos Une” (“Water Unites Us”) is an initiative which exists within the framework of the SuizAgua project, led by the Swiss Cooperation through its Global Program Water Initiatives.
This program has been working with actors in the private sector, public institutions along with research centers, in order to promote responsible and committed water management. In addition, “El Agua Nos Une” equally promotes Corporate Water Footprint and the use of a water footprint tool, such as the international standards ISO 14.046.
Broadly speaking, the program seeks to strengthen corporate water management in Latin America. The purpose is to evaluate and reduce the impacts of water consumption and pollution involved in production processes. In addition, it seeks to strengthen water governance based on the leadership of public institutions, on the participation of multiple sectors of society, on the respect for nature and the respective preservation of environmental services.
THE “BLUE CERTIFICATE” IN CHILE: FISCAL INCENTIVES FOR REDUCING WATER FOOTPRINTS
The Certificado Azul (Blue Certificate) was launched in March 2020 with the participation of the Chilean Minister of Environment, the ambassador and the former Head of Cooperation in Lima, Peru.
This instrument has so far exceeded its initial objectives. Indeed, the high degree of commitment shown by the private sector and the level of institutional sophistication reflect the desire and need for Chilean actors to improve water management in one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change.
The central element of the Blue Certificate is the fiscal promotion of water management, which is carried out by public authorities by creating tax incentives. So basically, to promote the reduction of company water footprints, tax authorities recognize these investments and allow a considerable tax deduction.
So how does it work? Companies from all sectors and of all sizes can apply for the Certificate. They must meet strict eligibility criteria such as a sound legal, environmental, and technical background. They must then pass before a committee to demonstrate that the investments made are indeed aimed at promoting the integrated and sustainable management of water resources.
There are three levels of certification, namely: measuring water footprints, reducing water footprint, and preparing an integrated production process plan. This instrument is in the hands of the Chilean Agency of Sustainability and Climate Change.
THE ROLE OF SWISS TECHNOLOGIES
In 2021, Switzerland has been voted the world’s Number 1 innovative country for the eleventh year running. It is then no surprise that Swiss innovation has a role to play in helping implement water efficiency in Latin America and Chile.
A key player here has been AQUA4D, represented in Chile by IST Group. Their precision irrigation technology allows growers (and landscape irrigators to keep soils moist for longer. A significant beneficiary so far has been avocado growers, with results of a landmark pilot project due at the end of 2021 which will show avocado growers achieving water efficiency of 25% or more. In turn, implementing such technologies also brings growers in line with Blue Certificate and SuizAgua objectives.
WHAT’S NEXT? THE LINK BETWEEN SDC AND S-GE
Switzerland has played a pioneering role in the water sector in the past ten years, whether it be in Chile or in the wider region. The Swiss Embassy considers the alignment with the 2030 Agenda in Chile to be a real opportunity, which is why we want to develop a pilot project to bring SDC and S-GE objectives closer together in the scope of the Blue Certificate.
The main idea is to be able to trace a consumer good, let’s say wine or avocado, destined for the Swiss market with the guarantee that it has saved water in its production process.
At present the Swiss Embassy is in discussions to sign a MoU with the Chilean Agency of Sustainability and Climate Change and S-GE. Then we will have to define the companies that will provide the necessary technology to measure and reduce the water footprint that will allow international recognition.
The objective is ambitious, but the Embassy considers that efforts to find synergies between the SDC, business interests, and private companies and technologies represent serious opportunities to capitalize upon Swiss cooperation efforts in Chile for years to come in the name of greater sustainability and wider water efficiency.
Chile
Water Efficiency
Precision Irrigation
Swiss firms including AQUA4D on a recent visit to the Swiss Embassy in Santiago, Chile