Business for Social Responsibility and the Pacific Institute teamed up to investigate corporate water strategy. We have seen increasing concern over water shortages globally including at major growth markets and economic centers in Asia, India and the US which already face a lack of freshwater. If current trends continue, freshwater resources will grow more scarce and polluted, creating a global crisis where two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025. “At the Crest of a Wave: A Proactive Approach to Corporate Water Strategy” urges businesses to adapt to availability concerns immediately. Significant steps toward innovating to increase value chain and product eco-efficiency, investing in the restoration of water flow ecological systems and collaborating to maintain long-term water resources will be crucial. The report advises companies to establish baselines and goals before implementing corporate water strategies. BSR noted “In the next two to five years, companies will need to adapt to availability, quality and access concerns. Proactive corporate action that dramatically overhauls how companies use and invest in water supplies will be crucial for mitigating risks, gaining regulatory and community goodwill, and improving reputation”.
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