How Walpole members are championing water resilience to tackle the climate crisis

'Manifesting Sustainability' is a series of insight features exclusively for Walpole readers and members, developed in partnership with Walpole Associate Partners, FINN Luxe – the dedicated luxury offering of FINN Partners. Embracing the “global boutique” model, FINN Luxe offers integrated communications solutions across lifestyle sectors including travel and hospitality, design, F&B, beauty, fashion, jewellery, watches, automotive, and art.

How Walpole’s members are leading the charge to a water resilient future

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky producer, announced a partnership with three River Trusts in 2024 to improve the health of rivers and waterways in Scotland. The collaboration, known as The River Within, involves The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust, Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust, and the Spey Catchment Initiative. Covering a combined catchment area of 5,566km² , the programme focuses on enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate-driven rises in water temperature and strengthening the long-term resilience of rivers.

Waterways are not only crucial to Scotland’s rich wildlife, but are fundamental to whisky production which relies on the health of the nation’s rivers, banks, burns, and springs. Water stewardship is therefore central to Chivas Brothers’ vision for a sustainable future for Scotch, with the company committed to monitoring water usage and adopting innovative solutions, such as water-cooling technology, to minimise waste across its operations. 

Since launching The River Within, Chivas Brothers and its partners have initiated several projects including a fluvial audit and topographical study, riparian planting, woodland restoration and fencing to promote the natural regeneration of  ancient riverine woodland.

Another example of a company prioritising water resilience is the NHM. In its 2023-2024 Annual Report, the NHM highlights that “humanity’s future depends on the natural world” and emphasises that to secure this future, “we must act on scientific evidence and we must act together.”

Work is now underway on the Natural History Museum’s collections, digitisation and research centre based at the Thames Valley Science Park in Wokingham, set to be fully operational in 2031 (pictured below). The centre will house and preserve 28 million specimens from mammals to fossils, to transform research capability and expand the UK’s role in finding solutions to the planetary emergency we face. The site will incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems to manage water flow, treat runoff, and provide on-site storage. Nature-based solutions include an attenuation pond at the entrance, rain gardens and swales around the building’s perimeter, and porous paving in the car park. These features will enhance the site’s water resilience by reducing peak water flows, minimising surface runoff through evapotranspiration, and promoting natural water absorption and filtration.

In the hospitality industry, Gleneagles Townhouse has adopted a comprehensive approach to water stewardship. The hotel tracks monthly water consumption per occupied room, providing a reliable metric that accounts for fluctuating occupancy. This enables Gleneagles to monitor progress against its 2024 baseline and assess the effectiveness of its initiatives. Guided by best-practice recommendations from its Green Key accreditation, the hotel has reduced water use from 1.65 m³ to 1.21 m³ per occupied room - a significant 27% reduction since 2024.

Additionally, Gleneagles’ golf courses are irrigated using on-site reservoirs and dedicated boreholes that naturally harvest rainwater. Regular ground moisture testing, combined with an advanced irrigation system featuring individually controlled heads linked to a local weather station, helps minimise overall water usage. This ensures the courses are watered only when necessary, precisely where needed, and with consideration of forecasted rainfall. 

By implementing robust water stewardship strategies, companies can not only strengthen their resilience to water-related risks but also deliver long-term business value while actively contributing to climate solutions.

Driving impact for the climate and for business

Brands that take a proactive approach to water resilience can do more than mitigate water scarcity - they can unlock long-term value for both people and the planet.

Water scarcity means that communities face shortages for drinking, hygiene, and agriculture, leading to economic decline and food insecurity. Water scarcity also takes a toll on natural ecosystems. A stark example is the Aral Sea in Central Asia, once the world’s fourth-largest freshwater lake. Decades of water diversion for irrigation and energy production, combined with pollution, have caused it to shrink dramatically and become saline. The ecological collapse of the Aral Sea has led to widespread food shortages, a rise in infant mortality, and a decline in life expectancy among nearby communities.

Seeing this challenge, businesses are taking the opportunity to make a positive difference by adopting robust water resilience strategies that reduce waste, prevent pollution, and restore balance to ecosystems. Such strategies not only secure a more water-resilient future, but help to future-proof operations, ensuring organisations are better positioned to adapt and succeed amid growing water scarcity and climate impacts.

A water-resilient company unlocks significant cost savings by mitigating water-related risks; indeed, a 2021 study found that the financial impact of water risk is five times higher than the cost of proactively addressing such risks. It’s therefore clear that understanding how much water an organisation uses, and assessing the likelihood of water-related threats, provides greater certainty for long-term strategic decision-making.

Responsible management of environmental resources such as water is becoming a key expectation from investors, consumers, and the wider community. A strong water stewardship programme therefore enhances brand reputation and attracts sustainability-minded consumers and partners. According to a 2023 study by the British Standards Institution and Waterwise, 60% of people view water security as a critical global issue, with 51% believing organisations should take meaningful action to reduce water waste and support water security. In a market where eco-consciousness is rising, businesses that lead on water stewardship gain a clear competitive edge, strengthening their reputational and brand value.

Water resilience – what's next? 

Brands and organisations now have a valuable opportunity to embed water resilience into their core business strategies, helping to address the growing climate challenge while strengthening long-term business sustainability and performance.

Water challenges are complex and interconnected, requiring coordinated collective action to safeguard water resources and reduce long-term risks. Securing global water resilience therefore requires the active engagement of all stakeholders across sectors and regions.

The luxury sector is rising to meet the challenge, and in so doing is paving the path for other industries to follow suit. Through cross-sector collaboration, brands from every industry can meaningfully address global water scarcity and see how such change will elevate their own organisational performance. 

To learn more about how Walpole’s members are investing in water resilience, please visit the websites of Chivas Brothers, the Natural History Museum (NHM), and Gleneagles, and to explore the full set of pillars and aspirations guiding our members toward more sustainable and inclusive operations, download the Walpole Sustainability Manifesto.