Dear John,
From record-setting droughts and shrinking groundwater aquifers, to polluted drinking water supplies and deteriorating wetlands and aquatic biodiversity— it’s crucial the private sector broadens and accelerates action on water risk to slow the pace of the worsening global water crisis. 
A first-of-its-kind Ceres benchmark analysis of 72 companies from four water-intensive industries—apparel, beverage, food, and high-tech—shows encouraging progress on corporate water management, but underscores collectively, the companies have a long way to go in meeting the necessary ambition to reduce their demands and impacts on freshwater resources throughout their value chains.
The new benchmark gauges how Ceres Valuing Water Finance Initiative focus companies are performing against the six Corporate Expectations for Valuing Water—which set an ambition for companies to achieve by 2030. The benchmark also provides a unique and comprehensive view of how companies from these industries are responding to the escalating water crisis and resulting financial risk. |
The benchmark is a critical resource for investors working with companies on how to improve water stewardship through the
Valuing Water Finance Initiative.
Currently 94 investors, representing more than $17 trillion in assets, have committed to engage with the 72 focus companies through the initiative.
Benchmark results will inform these engagements, providing investors insights into financial risk and opportunities, such as where companies’ efforts are leading or lacking, and showcasing opportunities for companies to learn from and collaborate with peers and stakeholders to accelerate or broaden their water stewardship efforts. |
| Join us for a webinar November 7 at 11am ET
to explore key findings from the benchmark report and hear perspectives from the report authors, and investor and company representatives on the significance of the benchmark as a tool for raising investor and corporate ambitions to protect freshwater resources. |
