Water Treatment & Efficiency

Source Metadata

CBI Sector Criteria

CBI Water Infrastructure Criteria define eligibility for water treatment and efficiency projects that contribute to both climate mitigation and adaptation. Water treatment facilities must demonstrate energy efficiency improvements or reduced GHG emissions compared to conventional systems. Water efficiency projects qualify when they reduce water demand or losses, contributing to climate resilience in water-stressed regions.

Eligible Activities & Assets

Eligible assets include: wastewater treatment plants with energy recovery (biogas capture); water reuse and recycling systems; desalination plants powered by renewable energy; network loss reduction and smart metering systems; industrial water efficiency technologies; constructed wetlands and nature-based treatment solutions; and advanced treatment technologies removing emerging contaminants while reducing energy consumption.

Certification Process

Verifiers assess water system energy intensity, treatment quality, and climate resilience contributions. Pre-issuance review includes engineering designs, energy balance projections, and water quality targets. Post-issuance monitoring requires actual energy consumption data, treated water volumes, and water loss reduction metrics. Nature-based solutions require biodiversity impact assessments.

LATAM Market Context

Water infrastructure represents a growing green bond category in LATAM, driven by urbanization and climate stress on water resources. Brazil's SABESP (São Paulo state water utility) has issued CBI-certified green bonds for water treatment and loss reduction. Mexico's water utilities and Colombia's Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) have explored green financing for water infrastructure modernization.

Colombia Green Finance Taxonomy Alignment

The TVC includes water treatment, efficiency, and reuse as eligible activities under both mitigation and adaptation objectives. Colombia's Plan Nacional de Manejo de Aguas Residuales and the national water efficiency program align with CBI criteria. The TVC has developed specific implementation proxies for water sector verification, facilitating compliance for Colombian water utilities seeking green bond certification.

Cleantech Taxonomy Crosswalk

Maps to Cleantech Taxonomy sector WW (Water) — specifically WW-TR (Water Treatment) and WW-EF (Water Efficiency). Cross-references to ES (Energy) for energy recovery from wastewater and to AF (AFOLU) for nature-based water treatment solutions.