At the end of 2013 Kemira and Stora Enso agreed to co-operate on a corporate social responsibility project in Guangxi Province in Southern China. The project promotes responsible water management through community engagement.
To build shared value to local villagers, Stora Enso, Kemira and (local) government, the water stewardship project was created. It brings together Kemira’s know-how on water management, Stora Enso’s expertise on tree plantation management, and local communities’ practical knowledge and experiences related to water issues in Guangxi.
To kick off the project Kemira and Stora Enso together with the local villages carried out a baseline study of water resources in the area around Stora Enso’s operations. Challenges were identified and the plan was created to address local concerns for example on water quality, groundwater levels and the possible impacts of tree plantations on water.
Better access to clear water in Baimei village
The Baimei village that lives of chicken raising is one participant in the project. The remote village is located high up in the mountains close to Stora Enso’s eucalyptus tree plantation.
“There have been tree plantations in the same area for a long time, and the villagers were not concerned of us planting new species, eucalyptus trees. However, it was very clear that water is essential to their livelihood and the villagers were therefore truly involved in the project,” tells Ola Svending, Environmental Affairs Manager, Stora Enso Renewable Packaging.
“Baimei village had one well, but despite of their best efforts, it was not giving enough water and the water quality was uncertain. The plan is now to build a second well, improve the productivity of both, and maintain better water quality,” says Bengt Hansen, Senior Applications Specialist, Municipal and Industrial segment. “We will also ensure that the used water will be treated before it is released to the nature again.”
As the province also has rainy and dry seasons, a new and bigger water reservoir will be installed to balance off the highs and lows. The other joint pilot projects in Guangxi include improving water availability, and waste water treatment in both municipal and domestic sewage handling.
Global problem, locally solved
Education plays an important role in this project. To ensure the progress after the project, the participants will get training on water issues in general and on operating independently the installed water systems in particular.
Stora Enso practices responsible tree plantation forestry, and the company is committed to forest certification and best environmental practices.
“In Guangxi we don’t plant as many trees per hectare as we might do elsewhere, as matter of fact, we plant less than the locals per unit. With fewer trees there will be more sunlight on the ground, and as a result, more vegetation,” Svending explains. “Ground vegetation mitigates the risk of soil erosion and that again has a positive impact on the water quality around the plantations.”
Somebody has said that access to clean water is a global problem that can only be solved locally. The Guangxi project is a clear proof of that. Stora Enso and Kemira want to share their knowledge, but also to learn from the experiences on location.