Certificate in Water Stewardship and ISO 14046:2014 – Water Footprint Management Familiarisation

Course Type: Familiarisation / Foundation Level
Duration: 1–2 days (customisable)
Mode: Online / Onsite / Blended
Target Audience:
Sustainability professionals, ESG analysts, environmental officers, operations managers, water resource planners, and those involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental impact reporting, and sustainable supply chains.

Course Overview:

This introductory course offers a foundational understanding of ISO 14046:2014 – Environmental Management: Water Footprint and the broader concept of corporate water stewardship. Participants will explore the importance of sustainable water use in operations and value chains, and how ISO 14046 provides a standardised framework to assess and manage the environmental impact of water consumption.

Designed to meet the growing global demand for responsible water use and disclosure, the course helps learners familiarise themselves with methodologies to evaluate water footprints and align practices with sustainable development goals (SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation).

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the scope and purpose of ISO 14046:2014.

• Define and explain the principles of water footprint assessment.

• Recognise the role of water stewardship in ESG and sustainability reporting.

• Identify key components and stages of water footprint studies, including inventory analysis and impact assessment.

• Analyse risks and opportunities associated with water use in operations and supply chains.

• Gain awareness of how ISO 14046 links with other ISO environmental standards (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 14044).

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Water Stewardship and Global Water Challenges

• Understanding ISO 14046:2014 – Terminologies and Framework

• Types of Water Footprint: Blue, Green, and Grey Water

• Methodology Overview:

  • Goal and Scope Definition

  • Water Use Inventory

  • Water Impact Assessment (e.g., scarcity, quality, degradation)

  • Interpretation of Results

• Linkage to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Principles

• Application of Water Footprint in Business Strategy and Reporting

• Water Risk Mapping and Stakeholder Engagement

• Integrating Water Stewardship into ESG, CSR, and GRI frameworks

Assessment & Certification:

At the conclusion of the course, participants will take a short quiz or reflective task to consolidate learning. A Certificate of Completion in Water Stewardship and ISO 14046:2014 Water Footprint Management will be awarded to successful candidates.