
Almost three quarters of participants in a global survey of attitudes towards water conservation believe businesses should prioritise conserving water.
The Water, Sustainability and Climate Change survey which was commissioned by Ecolab questioned consumers in eight countries and found only a quarter agree companies are taking the “right amount of action” to conserve water.
60 per cent of the survey sample reported that they, or family members, have experienced difficulties accessing clean drinking water.
Consumers are sending a message loudly and clearly—if business leaders aren’t prioritizing water stewardship, they aren’t doing enough.
Ecolab Chairman and CEO, Christophe Beck, says: “Consumers are sending a message loudly and clearly—if business leaders aren’t prioritizing water stewardship, they aren’t doing enough.
“Ecolab’s work this past year to help protect the resources vital to life shows that it’s possible to advance sustainability and business growth goals all at once.”
The survey findings were released on 22nd March to coincide with World Water Day and the United Nation’s annual Water Conference which discusses progress towards U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all‘).
This year’s event featured an unprecedented collective “Open Call for Water Action” from Ecolab and other leading global brands, with companies announcing their commitment to water conservation on the day including: AB InBev, ADM, ANDESS, AQUADAT, Arca Continental, AstraZeneca, Banka BioLoo Limited, Bayer, BIOAZUL SL, Braskem, Cargill, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Colgate-Palmolive, Cristalina Saneamento, Crown Holdings, Inc., Cummins Inc., Danone, Diageo, DOW, DP World, DuPont, Elevate Textiles, Inc., ENGIE, FLSmidth, Gap Inc., Givaudan, GSK, HCL Technologies Limited, HEINEKEN N.V., Inditex, S.A., Inter IKEA Group, Johnson Matthey, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC, Kemira Oyj, KLT Filtration Ltd., Mahindra Group, MGM Resorts International, Microsoft, Nazava Water Filters, Netafim, Orbia, Penta Falcon, PJSC PhosAgro, Recogida General De Residuos y Aguas S.L, Reckitt, Solenis LLC, Starbucks, The Coca-Cola Company, The Crescent Textile Mills Limited, Veolia, VIATRIS and Xylem.
We need concerted, collective action to ensure that there will be enough water for everyone in the very near future.
Speaking during the conference, Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, said: “We need concerted, collective action to ensure that there will be enough water for everyone in the very near future.
“Companies are the world’s largest water users and have a vested interest in ensuring that water resources are managed responsibly, fairly and sustainably. We hope this Open Call will mobilise the action we need to ensure the private sector becomes a good custodian of water resources.”