Society demands corporate attention to sustainability. While you could argue that any time an external entity places a “demand” upon an organization, it represents a threat that must be addressed. You could also argue that the drive to sustainability makes good fiscal sense as well. The first step is to gather accurate and quantifiable information to create a baseline. This should be applied to all scarce resources, including energy and water, with both a carbon and a water footprint revealed.
After a baseline position has been calculated, a water efficient strategy should be rolled out. Use a full accounting approach, which will enable not only the direct but also the indirect liabilities to be revealed. Remember that there are real implications and not only in financial terms, for every particular action associated with water use or discharge. Try and assess how each and every stakeholder will react in different circumstances.
Once every “what if” scenario has been staged and understood, the water efficient strategy must be prioritized. This should be part of a sustainable aim, part of an organization’s DNA, which is practiced internally and externally.
In terms of sustainability, liability does not end at the corporate boundary. Indeed, we are being forced to focus more and more upon supply-chain liabilities as they are perceived to directly impact our operations.
Insist on supplier efficiency, as it pertains to the production and manufacture, transportation and other interaction. Their product or service is destined for your operation and you are therefore liable for not only energy used and carbon emissions, but their use of water as well.
Many consider that a water efficient strategy should revolve around the curtailment of water usage itself. There may, however, be more capital to be gained in both direct and indirect terms by focusing on the creation of products that are far less reliant on water at their core. In other words, the water efficient strategy begins at the design phase and not at the operational phase.
Whereas a company’s strategy will be visible, internal PR and Brand management staff should do everything they can to deliver their work and success in a positive light. Many organizations are slow to understand how good sustainable practice can benefit their brand management.
With effective measurement, tracking and reporting solutions in place, a water efficient strategy can underline how good a corporate citizen your organization is. This kind of reputational gain is very quantifiable and should motivate senior management just as much as potential financial savings down the road.
Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information about water efficient strategy and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.
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