2014 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference. Preparing for World Water Day 2014: Partnerships for improving water and energy access, efficiency and sustainability. 13-16 January 2014

Case study: Promotion of the adoption of water and energy efficient technologies and practices by households, SMEs and Local Authorities in cities

By Victor Viñuales, Director of Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo (ECODES)

Abstract

The Water saving project is a collaboration between the City Council of Zaragoza, water and energy companies, educational institutions (including the University of Zaragoza) and the Ecology and Development Foundation.

Today in Zaragoza the average domestic water consumption per day is 50% less than the average in Spain, this has been attainable because of best practices in water efficiency. More than 30,000 citizens and 300 social entities signed public commitments concerning water efficiency. The key actors promoted a cluster regarding water efficiency.

The Zaragoza City Council and the NGO Ecology and Development Foundation (ECODES) were involved in a European project. This NGO promoted the project; The International Exhibition of water and sustainable development. It is very important to build trust between the partners because if you want to change values, prices and technology you need the participation of NGOs, public authorities and companies.