The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is preparing to launch Version 3.0 of its International Water Stewardship Standard, a major revision designed to help businesses address escalating water risks in a climate-stressed world.

As reported by Water Magazine, the upgraded standard will be unveiled during UN World Water Day week, with a global launch event taking place in Tokyo on 18 March 2026. Version 3.0 received approval from over 95% of AWS members who voted during a consultation period held between November and December 2025.

The revised standard introduces three key enhancements. Practicality improvements streamline requirements to reduce implementation costs and lower the barrier of entry for companies beginning their water stewardship journey.

Utility improvements strengthen alignment with broader sustainability agendas, introduce new requirements on climate impacts and resilience, and deepen focus on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Value improvements strengthen interoperability with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, specifically ESRS E3 Water, alongside alignment with CDP and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

The launch arrives as global water risks accelerate sharply. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026, environmental risks remain among the most severe threats over the next decade. A UNU-INWEH report has warned that the world has entered an era of "water bankruptcy," with rivers, aquifers and glaciers being pushed past recovery in many economies.

One in five companies globally already reports significant water-related supply chain risks, with an estimated $77 billion (€71.2 billion) of value at risk. High water-risk regions currently account for 10% of global GDP, a figure projected to rise to 46%.

View the full details of the AWS Standard V3.0 launch and what it means for your sustainability strategy.