WATER FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT - Managing Water for Business Sustainability

BUSINESS CHALLENGE

Freshwater is a invaluable resource; its availability is limited and demand is growing. The water requirement of humanity has exceeded sustainable levels and is unequally distributed among people. There are many spots in the world where serious water depletion or pollution takes place: rivers running dry, dropping lake and groundwater levels and endangered species because of contaminated water. For organizations, water is a basic ingredient for their operations, while effluents may lead to pollution of the local water system. Initially, public pressure has been the most important reason for sustainability initiatives in business. Today, however, organization are recognizing that failure to manage the issue of fresh water raises different sorts of business risks, including damage to the corporate image, threat of increased regulatory control, financial risks caused by pollution and insufficient freshwater availability for operations. Corporates have recognized now that proactive management can avoid risks and contribute to their profitability and competitiveness. Business water footprint accounting is increasingly regarded as an essential part of sustainable corporate performance. An increasing number of businesses recognize that not only their operations, but also their supplies depend and impact on natural water systems.

SOLUTION & BENEFITS

The Water Footprint Assessment is expected to benefit business entities, governments, project proponents and stakeholders worldwide by providing clarity and consistency for mapping, quantifying, monitoring, reporting and verifying actual Water Consumption & mitigating the threats arising from water scarcity. The steps include the following:

_ Effective monitoring and measurement of water at sources of consumption & process level within organisational boundary in life cycle approach;

_ Tracking of performance & progress in the reduction of water consumption, wastages, pollutions etc.

_ Enhancement in transparency of water footprint accounting, followed by water footprint sustainability assessment (comparing WFP with water resource availability) & adequately formulate response (by avoiding, recycling, reusing & technology enhancement) to mitigate water scarcity risks;

_ Development of Water Policy, Strategies & Plans to optimize the cost of water use;

_ Disclosure of verified water footprint assessment report & is effectively communicated to stakeholders.

What are the benefits of determining my Water Footprint Data?

_ Enhancing environmental integrity & increase sustainable performance by reducing Water footprint;

_ Mitigation of water scarcity threats to business operation in a catchment area by doing sustainability assessment of the water footprint data of the organization, product & supply chain;

_ Prepare for future regulatory compliance with the disclosure of water footprint report;

_ Offset water consumption or take effective response for the processes those are highly water consumptive;

_ Enhance corporate image, satisfy stakeholders and meet consumer expectations;

_ Reduce impact to human health and environment.