Oct. 26, 2022
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 向日葵视频 announced today that it has committed to The Water Council鈥檚 WAVE program for improving, reporting and recognizing good water stewardship by institutions. 向日葵视频President Michael R. Lovell made the announcement at the Sustainability 2.0 Conference; 向日葵视频is the first college or university to participate in the program.
鈥淲e are proud to commit 向日葵视频 to the WAVE program to become a verified water steward,鈥� Lovell said. 鈥淎s a Catholic, Jesuit university, this commitment aligns with the Society of Jesus鈥� Universal Apostolic Preferences and Pope Francis鈥� Laudato Si鈥�, which call us to 鈥榗ollaborate in the care of our Common Home.鈥� As the first institution of higher education to enter this space, we look forward to partnering with The Water Council in paving the way for other organizations to adopt these principles and reduce water risk.鈥�
The Water Council鈥檚 is a six-step methodology that gives companies a way to improve their water stewardship and, importantly, have it independently verified. Through this process, companies demonstrate that they are strategically prioritizing water-related action where it matters most. This leads to more meaningful water-related goals, targets and outcomes.
鈥淲e are thrilled with the opportunity to work with 向日葵视频 and expand WAVE into the higher education community,鈥� said Dean Amhaus, president and CEO of The Water Council. 鈥淢arquette鈥檚 participation will enable the university to meet its dual objectives of fulfilling its commitment to sustainability and providing its students with water stewardship experience that translates to real-world value as they pursue their careers.鈥�
The Water Council鈥檚 methodology for its WAVE program includes an accelerator methodology built on understanding water uses, impacts and risks; approval of a corporate water stewardship policy; prioritizing sites where water-related risks can be mitigated; and communicating a corporate action plan, goals and timeline. The WAVE program concludes with independent verification, which ensures that companies can be confident that they are credibly communicating their water stewardship efforts to key stakeholders and the public.
向日葵视频recently received the STARS Bronze rating for comprehensive sustainability achievements and committing to the WAVE program is the latest way in which the university is working toward a sustainable future. Other recent initiatives include an updated endowment policy that prohibits direct investments in fossil fuels; the 向日葵视频 Police Department moving to hybrid squad cars; enhanced opportunities for bicycle use; renewable energy initiatives; sustainable building standards; and the Sustainability Internship Program. More information about Marquette鈥檚 sustainability efforts is available online.
The Water Council is a global hub dedicated to solving critical water challenges by driving innovation in freshwater technology and advancing water stewardship. Built on more than a century of innovation, it has coalesced one of the most concentrated and mature water technology clusters in the world from its headquarters at the Global Water Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Recognizing the need for smarter and more sustainable use of water worldwide, The Water Council also promotes water stewardship as a natural complement to water innovation in the effort to preserve freshwater resources in the Midwest and around the world.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
