New Ceres report shows where companies stand on water stewardship ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

[Image alt text: Ceres logo] < [link removed] > Dear John,

Ceres’ new benchmark of corporate water stewardship < [link removed] > shows companies are making progress on complex water issues, but it still falls short of the urgency and scale of growing water scarcity and pollution.

Coming two years after the first assessment, today’s report shows how 71 companies from the food, beverage, apparel, and high-tech industries have responded to mounting financial, operational, regulatory, and reputational risks tied to their water use and impacts.

Pressure on water resources, from extreme weather to population growth to industry demand, is at an all-time high. And while most companies evaluated have improved their scores, the report, developed in partnership with Quantis, makes clear that swifter and broader action is needed to secure long-term value and protect freshwater vital to ecosystems and healthy communities.

Six Corporate Expectations for Valuing Water—goals for 2030 addressing all dimensions of water risk—set the bar for company performance on water stewardship in the benchmark. These expectations guide the Valuing Water Finance Initiative, the only investor-led global effort focused on water action. [Image alt text: 2025 VWFI Benchmark] < [link removed] >

Read the Benchmark's Analysis < [link removed] >

The benchmark, in pinpointing water stewardship gaps and best practices driving progress, is a key resource for investors who are engaging with portfolio companies on water risks through the Valuing Water Finance Initiative.

It also offers a roadmap for companies to focus their efforts, drawing lessons from peers to accelerate best practices and get ahead of challenges. [Image alt text: 2025 Benchmark Insights: The Tide of Corporate Water Stewardship] < [link removed] > Join us for a webinar on November 18 at 11am ET < [link removed] > exploring key findings from the benchmark assessment and featuring perspectives from the report’s authors, companies and investors.

Register for the Benchmark Webinar < [link removed] >

Thank you, [Image alt text: Headshots 150x150 James]

Kirsten James

Senior Program Director, Water

Ceres [Image alt text: LinkedIn_icon 100px.png] < [link removed] >

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