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Water security

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CDP's work with water security motivates companies to disclose and reduce their environmental impacts by using the power of investors and customers. The data CDP collects helps influential decision makers to reduce risk, capitalize on opportunities and drive action towards a more sustainable world.


Open Letter to Governments on the Water Crisis

The world has experienced a dramatic 84% decline in freshwater biodiversity. Heads of state will soon be gathering for the first time in 50 years to discuss water security.

Global investors are signing an open letter to governments urging them to commit to stronger and deeper policy action.

Sign the letter now
Highlights
High and Dry: How Water Issues Are Stranding Assets

Our groundbreaking report with Planet Tracker presents analysis into stranded assets and highlights the deep implications for the global financial sector.

Riding the Wave

How the private sector is seizing opportunities to accelerate progress on water security

The private sector is taking action on water

Explore why the private sector is asking for firmer regulation on water security

Financial Institutions are Valuing Water

This report provides a unqiue look at how the financial sector is respoding to the water crisis, with data from CDP's 2022 water security questionnaire.

Financial Sector Water Action Platform

Based on the financial sector’s very first water-related disclosure in 2022, this open platform showcases that action is already underway amongst private finance institutions.

Finance Water Action Pathway

We are developing a Finance Water Action Pathway that will define clear actions that financial institutions and other actors need to take to transform private lending, funding and investing and drive the transition to a water-secure world.


Why you? How does CDP help?
Global context The risks The opportunities
<1.2%
of all water on earth is available for human use.
40%
shortfall of the available global water supply is expected by 2030, according to the UN.
In many regions, a stable supply of good-quality water can no longer be relied on by companies to grow their business.
6/10
By 2050, six in ten countries are at risk of having unsustainable water resource usage, according to a 2021 GWSP report.
$4.5tn
World Bank predicts a growth rate decline of 6% of GDP by 2050 as competition for water intensifies.
$225bn
Value at risk of 69% of the publicly listed companies disclosing water data to CDP in 2021.
A large and growing number of investors and customers are increasingly expecting companies to respond and adapt.
To remain competitive, companies must learn how to do more with less and act collaboratively.
Companies can drive change faster than governments, it is in their direct business interest to act.
Improving measurement Through disclosure What are the benefits?
In order to manage, we must measure. Effective response strategies can only be developed if we better understand the situation in which we operate.
Knowing where your water comes from and where it goes to are essential for building resilience. How secure is your water supply?
Committing to measuring, monitoring and reducing water impacts are the first steps on a journey to a more resilient company.
Transparency helps your company demonstrate its commitment to improving water security to hundreds of investors and customers.
You can benchmark progress against your competitors and peers and identify opportunities for change.
CDP helps you identify possible partnerships that could improve water security and build a stronger company. 
Companies consistently measuring and reporting water data through CDP have enhanced their understanding of water risks and how to respond.
Companies that transparently measure and report through CDP are viewed more favourably by their investors and customers.
Companies reporting through CDP are taking action to improve water security and deliver a low-carbon world.

Protect against water risks and seize the opportunities of water management

As a company
As an investor


Full: Disclosures that enable data users to gain a comprehensive view of the risks, opportunities and responses by corporate and financial institutions to water insecurity.
Partial: Disclosures that enable only a limited view of the steps being taken to manage water-related risks and opportunities.
None: Some environmental disclosures in place but no water considerations.



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