Amazon and Microsoft Fund 750 Million-Litre Water Restoration in Germany

Amazon and Microsoft are collaborating on a significant water restoration initiative in Germany aimed at bolstering groundwater supplies for Frankfurt and nearby communities. The project, conducted in partnership with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), will restore 40 hectares of wetlands in the Vogelsberg region of Hesse. Amazon is contributing over €2.9 million to the effort, which is expected to replenish more than 750 million litres of water annually to local groundwater once completed.

The project will involve removing artificial drainage systems, creating shallow water zones, and implementing extensive grassland management to enhance water storage and filtration. NABU will lead the initiative alongside regional partners, authorities, and local landowners, with restoration work beginning in 2026 and continuing through 2028. The effort is part of Amazon’s broader goal to return more water to communities by 2030 than it consumes in operating its data centres.

In addition to improving groundwater recharge, the project aims to support regional biodiversity by creating habitats for species such as whinchats, snipes, and gadwalls. NABU plans to monitor the ecological impact of the project annually from 2028 to 2038. Microsoft has emphasized the importance of collaboration between businesses and local stakeholders in addressing regional water challenges, highlighting the shared responsibility for this vital resource.

For Amazon, this is its third water restoration project in Germany, following an urban leak detection program in Frankfurt and a wetland restoration project in Spessart. Combined, these initiatives are expected to return over 920 million litres of water annually to communities and ecosystems in the greater Frankfurt area. Globally, Amazon has launched more than 70 water restoration projects, aiming to return over 40 billion litres of water annually to communities and watersheds.