Grupo Pinsa agrees to conserve Sinaloa watershed in effort to neutralize water footprint – Mexico News Daily

Grupo Pinsa Commits to Watershed Conservation to Neutralize Water Footprint in Sinaloa

Introduction

Grupo Pinsa, a major Mexican food supplier, has entered into an agreement to conserve a critical watershed in the northern state of Sinaloa. This initiative aims to neutralize the company’s water footprint, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Details of the Agreement

1. Grupo Pinsa signed a five-year agreement with the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) and the community of La Noria.
2. The agreement funds the protection of 1,375 hectares of forest in the upper Presidio River Basin, located east of Mazatlán.
3. Key participants included Joanna Acosta Velázquez (Head of Conafor), representatives from La Noria Community Assembly, and Grupo Pinsa representatives Javier Humarán and Bernabé Herrera.

Environmental Impact and SDG Alignment

• The conservation effort replenishes a volume of water equivalent to the company’s annual water use, making Grupo Pinsa the first Mexican company to offset its total water footprint through watershed conservation.
• This initiative supports SDG 6 by promoting sustainable water management and protecting freshwater ecosystems.
• Grupo Pinsa’s CEO, Víctor Manuel Ledón Lizárraga, emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental regeneration and protection of shared life sources, reflecting SDG 12’s focus on sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• The project also contributes to SDG 15 by conserving forest ecosystems critical for biodiversity and water cycle regulation.

Company Profile and Socioeconomic Contributions

• Grupo Pinsa, established over 30 years ago, is a leading producer of canned tuna and sardines with over 100 products under brands such as Dolores, Mazatún, and El Dorado.
• The company operates in Mexico, the United States, and Europe, and is Sinaloa’s largest employer, providing over 6,000 direct jobs.

Conservation Strategy and Collaborative Efforts

1. The conservation strategy is part of the Local Payment Mechanism for Environmental Services with Concurrent Funds (MLPSA FC), marking the largest MLPSA FC agreement approved in Sinaloa in 2025.
2. Conselva, Costas y Comunidades, a water conservation organization, identified Grupo Pinsa’s offset needs using hydrological models and will act as technical advisor.
3. The agreement exemplifies a model of water co-responsibility involving public, private, and social sectors collaborating to address the water crisis with science-based actions, supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Community Benefits and Environmental Actions

• The La Noria community will receive payments for conserving its territory and engage in activities such as reforestation, soil restoration, community surveillance, and fire brigades.
• These actions are expected to increase water production in the micro-basin, positively impacting water availability for Mazatlán.

Context: Water Challenges in the Presidio River Basin

• Surface water availability in the Presidio River has decreased by 56.6% over the past 13 years.
• The aquifer suffers an annual deficit of 22.10 cubic hectometers, making it one of the most overexploited water bodies in Sinaloa.
• Key factors include deforestation, uncontrolled urban and agricultural growth, irregular water extraction, and climate change effects.

Expert Commentary

Sandra Guido Sánchez, Executive Director of Conselva, highlighted that the agreement is the culmination of over a decade of technical and community work in the Presidio River basin. She stated, “It demonstrates that it is possible to build local solutions to a global crisis when the private sector assumes its shared environmental responsibility.”

Conclusion

Grupo Pinsa’s watershed conservation initiative represents a significant step toward sustainable water management and environmental stewardship in Mexico. By integrating community participation, scientific guidance, and corporate responsibility, the project advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals and offers a replicable model for addressing water scarcity challenges globally.

Sources

• Grupo Pinsa Official Website
• Revista Espejo Report
• Periódico Noroeste Report
• Conselva Facebook Statement

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article focuses on conserving a watershed to neutralize water footprint and improve water availability.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Grupo Pinsa’s commitment to offsetting its water footprint reflects sustainable production practices.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land – Conservation of 1,375 hectares of forest and activities like reforestation and soil restoration are directly related to protecting terrestrial ecosystems.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaboration between public, private, and community sectors exemplifies multi-stakeholder partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6 Targets
   • 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
   • 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.
2. SDG 12 Targets
   • 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
3. SDG 15 Targets
   • 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests.
4. SDG 17 Targets
   • 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Water Footprint Neutralization – The volume of water replenished equivalent to the company’s annual water use serves as an indicator of water footprint offset.
2. Forest Area Conserved – The protection of 1,375 hectares of forest is a measurable indicator of land conservation efforts.
3. Water Availability Changes – Data on surface water decrease (56.6% reduction over 13 years) and aquifer deficit (22.10 cubic hectometers annually) indicate water resource status and trends.
4. Community Participation – Involvement of the La Noria community in conservation activities such as reforestation, soil restoration, and fire brigades can be tracked as indicators of social engagement and sustainable management.
5. Employment and Economic Impact – Grupo Pinsa’s role as a major employer (over 6,000 direct jobs) implies socio-economic indicators linked to sustainable development.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mexiconewsdaily.com