The latest insights from CDP, the global environmental disclosure system

Flowing through every part of our economy, water is a fundamental necessity for lives and livelihoods. Access to safe, resilient water supplies is essential to economic prosperity, health, development and environmental sustainability. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put water security under the international spotlight, but if SDG6 – the goal to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation – is to be achieved, we need robust data on the current landscape and what needs to change. This World Water Week, CDP examines how disclosure is accelerating progress towards a water-secure future.

INFOGRAPHIC: How disclosure drives business action on water

Industry accounts for 19% of global water withdrawal and agricultural supply chains account for 70% more. Without corporate action on water, the Sustainable Development Goals will be out of reach. We explore the role of business in unlocking progress towards achieving SDG6.

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SDG6: How corporate action is driving a water-secure future

As World Water Week kicks off, disclosure also provides the unique incentives for change, says CDP’s Director of Water Security, Cate Lamb. It can help ensure the investment, procurement, lending and policy practices that drive improvements in water security.

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Water is a major risk for cities and companies: here’s how nature-based infrastructure can help

Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognized as vital to reducing water risks and the Climate Bonds Standard Water Infrastructure Criteria, released in May, gives investors certainty that their capital is contributing towards genuinely sustainable water management projects.

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Elsewhere on the web

Writing for BusinessGreen CDP's Cate Lamb looks at how corporates are waking up to the role of nature-based solutions to boost water security, reduce risk and save money. 

A joint paper written with South Pole Group, highlights ways in which business water management strategies are evolving as they implement nature-based solutions.

CDP's Alberto Carrillo and the Climate Group's Sam Kimmins run through the RE100 leadership report and explore how corporations can step up and lead the renewable transition.

CDP examines the potential threat of deforestation posed by Peru's National Livestock Farming Development Plan and why policymakers can counter this threat.

Our latest Investor Research report and blog examine the role of capital goods producers could play in the low carbon transition. 

Our head of investor research, Carole Ferguson, comments on ways in which investors are scrutinizing companies investments in coal in a new article from the Financial Times.

Events

26-31 August: CDP will be joining experts, practitioners, decision-makers and business innovators to address the theme Water, ecosystems and human development. More here

12-14 September: CDP will be on the ground at the Global Climate Action Summit which will bring together leaders from state and local governments, business, investors, and citizens from around the world. More here

14 September: Explore how WBCSD WASH at the Workplace Pledge is being used by companies to ensure safe access to WASH, raise standards, improve employee productivity and retention. Register here

18 September: CDP will join UNESCO to present key findings of the SDG 6 synthesis report and how to harness the power of the private sector. Register here and here

25 September: This Climate Week event will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the relationship between mining and deforestation, present new research findings on forest-smart mining, and provide an overview of the New York Declaration on Forests and its Global Platform. Register here