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With so much focus on air quality, carbon footprint reduction and sustainable operations, businesses can easily lose sight of other issues that may be forthcoming. This includes the real potential of an impending global water shortage.
Nearly 66 percent of the world's population lacks proper access to fresh water for at least one month out of every year. The problem is much worse for others. Further studies, including those published by the United Nations, state that approximately 700 million people now suffer from water scarcity in 43 different countries.
A massive chunk of the world’s water use is tied to the business sector: 69 percent of water used globally goes toward agriculture, while another 19 percent is used for industry. Clearly, businesses can’t afford not to pay attention to their own water usage.
The issue is serious enough that the United Nations recently established a set of Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, to be introduced by the year 2030. Business owners and industry leaders who research, understand and implement these SDGs and other strategies of water conservation will put themselves in a position to quickly respond to and possibly even counteract any future water crises.
While the SDGs were first unveiled at a U.N. summit in September 2015, the plans weren't enacted until January of this year. The U.N. hopes to achieve all 17 of its targets by the year 2030.
Internal water targets are a step in the right direction, but they can set too low a bar. Coca-Cola’s goal, for example, is the vague aim to “replenish” the water they use. Look to Nestlé for a better example of a clear, ambitious goal: The company has pledged to cut water use on every European site by an impressive 40 percent in the years leading up to 2020.
Meanwhile, the team at financial services giant BDO has a firm-wide sustainability program called BDO Green. “BDO is constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental footprint, educate our employees, and give back to the communities in which we operate. At BDO, we know we can do good as a firm only if we do good in the world around us,” says a BDO executive.
Pioneers like these companies can pave the way for others in the business sector that are interested in pursuing energy conservation, carbon footprint reduction, paperless record-keeping and other greening strategies on their own behalf.
Image via: barnimages/ waterfall
Anum Yoon is a writer who is passionate about personal finance and sustainability. She often looks for ways she can incorporate money management with environmental awareness. You can read her updates on <a href="http://www.currentoncurrency.com>Current on Currency</a>.