On Wednesday, 9 September, our Director of Sustainability Services, Tom Abel, will be attending Sustainability LIVE and taking part in a panel discussion around water management strategies, some of the biggest challenges organisations are facing and how we can move beyond water conservation and towards water positivity – where businesses aim to return more water to the environment than they use.
While water has traditionally been viewed as a utility to be managed, that perspective is changing, and businesses are recognising water as a critical resource that affects operational resilience, sustainability performance and long-term growth.
From supply chain dependencies and evolving reporting requirements to the growing impact of extreme weather events, water is becoming a strategic business issue that can no longer be overlooked.
Tom shared his perspective on the importance of the discussion:
"Next week, I'll be joining sustainability leaders from across business, conservation and the water sector at Sustainability LIVE to discuss water positivity and what it means for organisations looking to build resilience in an increasingly uncertain climate.
For years, sustainability conversations have focused on carbon reduction and the transition to net zero. Those discussions remain critical, but water scarcity is now emerging as one of the defining challenges businesses will need to navigate over the coming decade.
Every organisation depends on water, whether directly through its operations or indirectly through its suppliers, customers and wider value chain. Water challenges are often localised and the risks and opportunities facing a business can vary significantly depending on where it operates, and where its resources come from.
At the same time, changing weather patterns, increasing demand and growing expectations around environmental reporting are prompting organisations to think differently about their relationship with water.
This is where the conversation around water positivity becomes particularly interesting. I'm looking forward to contributing to the discussion and hearing different perspectives on how we can progress towards a more water-positive future."
Key themes
Some of the key themes set to shape the discussion include:
- Why water is a local issue and how organisations can develop place-based water stewardship strategies.
- Understanding hidden water dependencies across supply chains and wider value chains.
- The shift in mindset from viewing water as a utility to recognising it as a critical business resource.
- The regulatory and reporting landscape, including how proactive water management can help organisations reduce risk.
- The role of technology and data-driven solutions in improving water efficiency, resilience and reuse.
- The importance of collaboration between businesses, utilities, conservation groups and communities to protect shared water resources.
As the subject of water management continues to climb the corporate agenda, discussions like these are helping organisations understand why smart water management matters, and what practical steps can be taken to build a more resilient and sustainable future.
Find out more and register to attend Sustainability LIVE.