The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) offers a free comprehensive Global Water Tool (GWT) that provides relevant water information for international corporations.
The GWT is a massive database that renders relevant facts on water information with respect to local communities. Water is a fundamental business asset. Accurately accessing risk management and implementing effective strategies requires a t user-friendly tool for major corporations with high water needs in their supply chain network.
The GTW was developed to provide corporations with important water statistics for the sustainability of their business and the environment. In 2007, the GWT was launched. Now, over 300 corporations access the various datasets, charts and information available via the GWT. It maps water use and calculates projected water availability in specific regions of the world.
Data on the GWT includes input from reputable sources such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Aquastat, the International Water Management Institute, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund Joint Monitoring Program, and other sources.
Statistics on urban annual growth rates, the environmental water scarcity index by basin and projected total annual renewable water resources per inhabitant by 2025 and 2050 are featured on the GWT. Investing in a new plant that is estimated to operate in an area for over ten years must be considered against points about urban growth rates, and projected water availability for future production ventures. If they weren’t, investors and corporations would be allotting funds to projects that may not be worth the initial financial output. The GWT enables companies to invest safely and to execute business practices soundly.
These datasets allow corporations to make major financial decisions with respect to launching new plants in particular areas of the world. Corporations can review these datasets and consider necessary modifications to existing water and wastewater policies. Corporations can now invest in supply chain operations responsibly, environmentally and economically.
The GWT gives important reports on water availability, water quality and water stress in regions of the world. Water stress is calculated when population, environment, and agriculture are factored into water availability measures.
Irrigated agriculture accounts for 70 percent of the world’s water use. If a supply chain functions in an area close to irrigated agriculture, these corporations must be aware of the water used by nearby farmers. Then, corporations can partner with local farmers on water conservation techniques.
Tangible facts about safe drinking water access and sanitation systems are also provided by the GWT. When considering employee safety and health conditions, employers can not overlook crucial analysis of safe drinking water and sanitation systems in local areas.
Unsafe drinking water and faulty sanitation systems is a major risk to employee health. Corporations will lose labor due to mortality and sickness from water-borne diseases and poor hygiene. Moreover, corporations can be penalized for violating international or domestic codes for workers rights if these amenities are not in place prior to the start of operations.
Advancement in water management methods and reliable empirical evidence on the status of water throughout the world is an invaluable addition to the field of corporate social responsibility and international business.
Corporations in water stressed areas can accurately quantify their water needs and qualify suitable follow up action to sustain renewable water resources for their enterprises.
The GWT has incredible potential for risk assessment strategy and increasing awareness about the global water crisis. When water becomes tied into business and profitability, investors and policy makers will begin to take the global water crisis more seriously.
There’s only so much water on the planet and major corporations need it to increase their profit margins. Hopefully, corporations utilize the GWT to its fullest extent and share best practices on sustainable water resource management. If so, there is hope for a sustainable future.
If you enjoyed this article, you should also read:
Heineken: Brewing Beer Responsibly
Anhueser Busch: Brewing a Beerable Future
Your Comments
5 Comments so far