Amazon and Microsoft fund major water restoration project in Germany

Amazon and Microsoft have teamed up with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) to fund a major water restoration project in Germany. The initiative aims to restore over 750 million litres of water annually to groundwater supplies in the Vogelsberg region of Hesse, which serves as a critical drinking water source for Frankfurt. The project will also revive 40 hectares of wetlands, enhancing regional biodiversity.

Amazon is contributing more than €2.9 million to the project, marking the first collaborative water restoration effort between the two tech giants. The work, set to begin in 2026, involves removing artificial drainage systems, creating shallow water zones, and implementing grassland management to slow water runoff and improve infiltration. These measures are designed to restore the landscape’s natural capacity for water storage and filtration.

Beyond water restoration, the project aims to create habitats for endangered species such as whinchats, snipes, and gadwalls. NABU plans to monitor the ecological impact annually from 2028 to 2038, providing long-term data on the project’s success. This initiative is part of Amazon’s broader goal to return more water to communities by 2030 than it consumes in operating its data centres.

Microsoft emphasized the importance of collaboration between businesses and local stakeholders in addressing water challenges. Christian Schätz, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Germany, noted that the partnership demonstrates how private sector resources, local expertise, and science can come together to make a measurable difference.