Collaborative Actions for Sustainable Water Management

From WaterWiki.net

Summary

Content

Abstract/Executive Summary

Global water use for human purposes can be split into three major categories: around 70 percent is used for agriculture, 20 percent for industry and the remaining 10 percent for domestic activities. Demand for water will increase in all three of these areas as populations grow and as countries become more industrialized. It is estimated that by 2020 around two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed countries.

Companies interact with water in all of these areas. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) member companies provide numerous products and services to industry, agriculture, communities and households. The WBCSD promotes sustainable water management and raises awareness in the business community of the consequences faced by society when water is mismanaged. The organization’s views have been published in three previous reports:

1. Business can only thrive in healthy economies where social and environmental needs are satisfied as well as economic ones. It needs reliable water supplies to manufacture products and deliver services to its customers. It also needs safe sanitation systems to protect the health of its employees and to treat and recycle used water. It needs healthy and vibrant communities and attractive environments in which it can do business. These cannot exist if water management is neglected. Industrial and agricultural demand for water must be considered against the backdrop of inadequate water supply and sanitation in many areas of the world. Each year 1.8 million people die from diarrhoeal diseases, 88% of which are attributed to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene.
2. Access to water has been declared a basic human right. International concern for water and sanitation issues was expressed in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. Despite this concern there has been limited progress towards meeting the Millennium targets on water and sanitation. The consequences for people and business are severe and will grow with increasing populations and urbanization, and as the effects of climate change take hold.

Sustainable water management requires collaboration between business, civil society and governments; none of these sectors can deliver it on their own. Business has a key role to play, but must work proactively with other sectors in order to achieve lasting results. Many companies need a better understanding of the benefits that could be delivered to their business, the surrounding community and the environment and some mistakenly believe that actions of this kind cost money while providing no shareholder return. The WBCSD is publishing this discussion paper to show what can be achieved, to prompt dialogue among stakeholders and to encourage further practical actions by its members and other companies.

References

See also

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

External Resources

WBCSD website

Attachments

 Water collaborative actions.pdf