Aqua Positive: The New Paradigm of Corporate Sustainability – Why? We Need Blue to Go Green

Interview to Esther Gonzalez, CEO Aqua Positive

Water scarcity is no longer a distant challenge, it’s a reality shaping the future of industries, communities, and ecosystems. While the conversation around sustainability often centers on carbon footprints, the true crisis lies in water. At the helm of this transformation stands Aqua Positive, led by CEO Esther Gonzalez, an attorney specialized in water resources, who has brought together leaders from the sustainability and water stewardship sectors to drive this challenge forward.

In the past 50 years, the global population has doubled and the production of goods and services has increased exponentially, leading to a significant rise in water demand. However, the hydrological cycle provides a relatively constant volume of water and, with the acceleration of climate change, access to clean water is becoming increasingly uncertain. As the UN, the World Bank, and leading organizations highlight the looming water crisis—marked by water scarcity, flooding, and pollution—Aqua Positive emerges as a bridge between companies seeking to generate positive environmental impact and funding opportunities that would not exist without this kind of intermediation.

Redefining how companies engage with water, Aqua Positive focuses on assigning water its true value by fostering synergies with SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, which accounts for 90% of global water consumption, rather than limiting its scope to SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, which represents only 10%. More importantly, water is a critical element embedded across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a cornerstone for economic resilience, climate adaptation, and long-term sustainability.

The Origins of Aqua Positive: A Vision that Became a Movement

IndustriAmbiente: Esther, how was Aqua Positive born? What inspired its creation?

Esther González: The idea for Aqua Positive first took shape in 2022 during an innovation event in KSA. At the time, I was working with Borja Blanco at Aqua Advise, and we both recognized the immense potential we had in this market, given our background and deep experience in water management. That’s when I met Ale Sturniolo, who was working closely with Gabriel Blejman, a prominent figure in the field of sustainability. From that moment, we discovered a shared vision and an undeniable synergy that became the foundation of what would later become Aqua Positive.

As the concept evolved, we realized that for Aqua Positive to truly revolutionize corporate water management, we needed a strong and innovative platform—not just to measure, record, and ensure transparency, but to create an offering that built trust into every VWB, meeting the needs of an increasingly demanding and dynamic market.

That’s when fate stepped in. One of my lifelong friends, Leslie Rosas, and Belisario Rosas—whom Ale affectionately calls Bill-Isario—both prominent figures in entrepreneurship and innovation, were captivated by the idea. Belisario, a highly respected entrepreneur in the world of technology and digital innovation, and Leslie—who brought strategic vision and the execution mindset of Silicon Valley pioneers—helped take the project to the next level.

Together, we built the most advanced and scalable water management platform, setting a new benchmark in the industry by integrating technology, sustainability, and business intelligence. This journey not only inspired our entire team but also made the process exciting and fun.