Dear John,
Greetings from World Water Week! I am in Stockholm, Sweden joining business leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders to explore solutions to the world’s greatest water challenges.
There is much to discuss. Reaffirming an already bleak picture, last week the World Resources Institute released data showing one-quarter of the world's population lives in countries facing extremely high water stress. Entire populations in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa are expected to face this reality by 2050. 
As with the UN Water Conference back in March, this week’s convening in Stockholm includes many discussions about the significant role the private sector plays in addressing this crisis.
While some companies are setting contextual water-related targets and making signficant progress, bolder and broader action is needed to address the full range of water impacts across value chains, including water quality, ecosystem health, and communities’ access to safe water.
A new Ceres benchmark analysis, slated for public release later this year, will assess where companies of focus in the investor-led Valuing Water Finance Initiative are on this journey. The report, which uses existing publicly available company disclosures, will inform investors’ engagements with companies as they discuss how to best address water risk and also help companies identify areas of strength and where more urgent attention is needed. |
| A recent analysis from Ceres and Bluerisk
highlights an innovative approach to help companies quantify not only the cost of solutions, but the potential business and societal return on investment from water-related interventions. Understanding the full value of water stewardship strengthens the business case for action and shows where corporate boards and executives should prioritize investments for the greatest impact on their business and society. |
|
Watch our webinar to hear perspectives from investor and company representatives on this new approach. |
| The world’s most precious natural resource is in a precarious state, and more and more people, ecosystems and the economy are paying the price. We call on companies and investors to address water risk with the same urgency as climate risk, driving action at the pace and scale needed to ensure a water-secure future. |
