In a move set to reshape water stewardship across the global fashion supply chain, Global Water Intelligence’s Corporate Water Leaders (CWL) initiative has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ZDHC Foundation. The partnership, announced today, marks a strategic alignment aimed at accelerating sustainable water management within the textiles and leather industries.

The collaboration brings together two major forces in water stewardship, aiming to streamline guidance, enhance data and reporting systems, and foster better water management practices throughout the value chain. By aligning their resources and influence, CWL and ZDHC are expected to scale impact not just at factory levels, but across entire ecosystems and communities tied to these industries.

The CWL Textiles & Leather Task Force—a coalition of eight major global fashion brands—is at the core of this effort. Focused on transforming industry-wide water practices, the task force works on policy advocacy, knowledge sharing, and the creation of actionable tools to help companies implement global water goals at the local level.

“This MoU recognises the leadership and credibility of the CWL Textiles & Leather Task Force, and its alignment with ZDHC,” said Jess Chapman, Head of CWL. “It sends a clear message that collaboration is how the industry will move forward on water.”

ZDHC CEO Frank Michel echoed that sentiment: “At ZDHC, we see this partnership with CWL as the natural next step. Together, we can elevate water protection from individual factories to the ecosystems and societies that depend on it.”

By forging this alliance, CWL and ZDHC aim to provide practical and unified guidance for companies navigating increasingly complex water challenges—ensuring water resilience becomes a central pillar of environmental performance across the fashion sector.

Though the partnership between is primarily focused on water stewardship in the textiles and leather industries, there are indirect implications that may ripple out to water-intensive sectors like drilling and mining. Here's how:

1. Raising the Bar for Industrial Water Stewardship

As CWL and ZDHC develop aligned tools, data frameworks, and best practices, they set a new benchmark for industrial water management. These benchmarks may influence regulators, investors, and stakeholders to expect similar standards from other high-impact sectors like drilling.

• Impact on drilling: Operators may face increased pressure to demonstrate water stewardship practices comparable to those adopted by other industries.

2. Reporting and Data Standards

The MoU emphasizes stronger data and reporting systems. If these frameworks prove successful, they could be adopted or adapted across industries.

• Impact on drilling: Drilling companies might see new expectations around water usage data transparency, contaminant discharge tracking, and community impact reporting.

3. Strengthened ESG and Supply Chain Expectations

Major brands and investors are increasingly demanding ESG compliance across the supply chain. As water stewardship becomes a non-negotiable in fashion, it can signal a broader shift in how water-intensive operations—like drilling—are evaluated.

• Impact on drilling: More investors and partners may demand detailed evidence of sustainable water use, especially in water-scarce or high-risk regions

While this specific CWL-ZDHC partnership doesn't directly affect the drilling industry, it contributes to a wider shift toward unified, high-standard water management in all water-intensive industries. Drilling companies should watch these developments closely and consider how transparency, collaboration, and local ecosystem impact are becoming essential components of industrial water resilience.