Water
With over-use of water, and growing scarcity in many parts of the world, sustainable and equitable corporate water use is increasingly essential. The Oblates engage large corporate water users, urging greater awareness of the issues, particularly from the perspective of affected communities.
- The first step is to map and measure water use and risk. Along with our ICCR colleagues, we recommend tools and organizations to help with this.
- Once water use and risk are measured, companies generally move to conserving and reducing water use and pollution.
- Offsetting large water use in stressed watersheds is of critical importance.
- We encourage transparent reporting on water use and water risk via CDP Water, understanding that what is measured is managed. Reporting enables shareholders and others to assess the extent to which companies are adequately managing risk, as well as their impact on local communities and ecosystems.
- We encourage recognition of the Human Right to Water and the meaningful engagement of affected communities. We have helped companies develop policy statements on the HR to Water, and serve on the Expert Advisory Group for the HR to Water Corporate Guidance being developed by the CEO Water Mandate (UN Global Compact)
ICCR has developed a Statement of Principles and Recommendations for Corporate Water Stewardship. This document sets out ICCR’s expectations and recommendations regarding corporate water use and management.
Please visit the ICCR website for resources on corporate water stewardship.
