Carbon Disclosure Project Water Disclosure Global Report 2011

Published in late 2011, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Water Disclosure Global Report looks at corporate awareness of global water issues. A total of 238 companies responded to the information request that was the basis of the report, out of a total of 425 companies solicited for a response rate of 56%. That’s an enviable response rate for any such endeavor. Companies were chosen from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series, The Australian Securities Exchange, and The Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Key highlights from the report include:

• 59% of respondents report exposure to water related risk that has the potential to cause significant impact;
• 63% have identified water related opportunities to generate substantial change in revenues;
• Increasing numbers of companies are tracking water withdrawls and recycling/reuse data;
• Energy companies report a very high level of water related risk but a low level of board oversight of water issues.
In all, global companies are realizing the significance of water to their overall operations. As part of the information collection response, IBM replied, “Water …is fast becoming one of the planet’s most stressed resources. Access to clean water has emerged as a critical issue affecting economic activity, development, and business around the world.” Not to mention the importance to sustaining life itself for all the planets many and varied inhabitants. Read the full report here - https://www.cdproject.net/water .