Landscape activity

Agricultural supply chains use the vast majority of global freshwater resources. Poor management practices can lead to pollution and water scarcity in already water stressed areas. As a signatory of the WRAP Courtauld 2030 Roadmap, we are supporting collective action projects to help deliver a commitment to source 50% of the UK’s fresh food from areas with sustainable water management. By integrating this commitment into our supply chains, we are taking action in the highest water risk and impact area of our business.

Asda support 3 large scale collective action projects led by WRAP in:

- Donana, Spain

- Murcia, Spain

- Western Cape, South Africa

These areas important for the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and are seeing increasing climatic pressures from prolonged drought and erratic flood events.

During 2025, our Fresh Produce colleagues joined and contributed at a water workshop held in El Rocio (Doñana), Spain. 

Arroyo de la Canada ecological restoration took place during May 2025. As part of the wider effort to restore the ecological functionality of the surrounding corridors of Doñana, 2ha of area (or 20,000 m2) was restored and will be monitored with a multi-year maintenance plan involving local people.  

Land work was completed removing abandoned illegal ponds and returning these back to nature by adding native vegetation. Locally raised trees and shrubs such as common ash, poplar, common juniper and Churrero Reed have been re-planted to complete the rewilding process. This is a unique achievement which delivers real impact involving the local community whilst raising awareness for years to come.

Other key highlights across the Wrap project areas are as follows:-

- Research commenced around the opportunity of regenerative berry growing in Doñana (via Wageningen University which would facilitate a balance between Production and Sustainability.

• 50+ stakeholders (growers and global companies to scientists, civil society, and authorities) engaged and aligned on the Framework of Priority Actions for the Recovery of the Mar Menor and identify pathways to scale better practices on and off farm. 

• A new public Mar Menor – Segura Basin Information Portal.

Farmer knowledge exchange workshops were held which focussed on river maintenance management plans and best practices towards invasive species clearing. The workshops provided advice and examples to help producers manage plant species following floods. This was attended by Asda fruit growers across Western Cape, South Africa.

The project work continues to deliver on the ground and is highlighted across The Upper Breede River. Water availability in the area has been restored by clearing invasive plants that used up high levels of water, replanting indigenous vegetation to restore the natural ecosystem. This protects valuable agricultural land against erosion and climate-related risks. The restoration work is led by WWF South Africa in partnership with local organisations, producers, and the Wolseley Water Users Association.

We’re committed to making every drop count. Our approach to water management is all about efficiency, innovation, and accountability.

- Fixing the Leaks: We’ve tackled the basics by identifying and repairing leaks across our sites, ensuring our infrastructure is watertight and efficient.

- Smart Monitoring: With cutting-edge technology, we track our water usage every 30 minutes. This real-time data allows us to spot unusual spikes and act fast- minimising waste and maximising awareness.

- Innovative Solutions: Across our depots, we’ve installed rainwater harvesting systems to capture and reuse natural rainfall. In our stores and offices, waterless urinals and low-flow taps are helping us significantly reduce consumption.

- Continuous Improvement: Every increase in water use triggers an investigation. We don’t just monitor—we act.

Together, these efforts are helping us reduce our environmental footprint and lead the way in responsible water stewardship.