COVID-19 Impact Briefs

Water Stewardship

IN BRIEF

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the vital importance of safe water, sanitation and hygiene as critical preventative measures against the pandemic. Good hygiene — including handwashing with clean water — is the first line of defense against COVID-19 and other viral diseases. The crisis has also highlighted the medium and long-term need to build resilient water systems and embedded behaviour change models related to good hygiene that are critical to combat this pandemic and any future crises.

KEY STATISTICS

33 per cent of companies that responded to the UN Global Compact annual survey conduct water foot-printing exercises.

32 per cent of companies that responded to the UN Global Compact annual survey report taking action to advance and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

Fewer than a quarter of UN Global Compact participants have integrated water management into their strategies and operations and half have not set water reduction targets.

3 billion people do not have access to a handwashing facility with soap and water at home

Nearly 1 billion people have partial access to water or experience regular shutoffs of water, making frequent handwashing difficult if not impossible

An estimated 2 billion people currently live in water-stressed areas and with water demand expected to outstrip supply by 40 per cent by 2030, the number of people facing water scarcity will increase.

CHALLENGES

As businesses plan for re-opening during the COVID-19 crisis, companies face challenges in implementing workplace practices that will ensure safe work environments for employees — at the farm or the factory.

Formal and informal workplaces — including offices, factories and field locations — are potential places with increased transmission risk as these spaces are where people interact for extended periods ; consequently, workplaces require newly updated guidance around good hand hygiene and clean water to manage transmission risks.

Being able to practice good hand hygiene with soap and water requires access to clean water, yet our water supplies are experiencing ever-increasing water stress; therefore, this will require companies to take action to address the root causes of water insecurity while building long-term resiliency.

Global supply chains for water, sanitation and hygiene products have been disrupted, making it more difficult to get relevant supplies to places that are most in need.

ACTIONS

Develop and implement robust water access, sanitation and hygiene action plans to ensure that workforce health and well-being are prioritized as companies consider re-opening facilities

Develop plans and strategies to help suppliers in companies’ global supply chains and also ensure employees have access to water access, sanitation, and hygiene.

Consider opportunities to work with local partners and Governments to ensure communities — where employees live — have resilient water access, sanitation and hygiene systems.

Producers and manufacturers of hygiene products and handwashing stations can contribute to improved hand hygiene at workplaces through pricing and co-operation with public entities as well as enable greater access to hygiene products and handwashing through innovative distribution.

Implement water stewardship activities that address water quantity, quality and accessibility — particularly in water-stressed regions — to contribute towards addressing the water crisis and to build long-term resiliency.

Water stewardship activities should consider those working in the company’s owned and operated facilities, supply chains and local watersheds.

WHAT COMPANIES
ARE DOING?

Diageo is transforming production lines to enable the production of more hand sanitizer
Unilever increased production capacity to produce handwashing and sanitizers to those most in need through its Lifebuoy brand and engaged in public service announcement on the importance of hygiene
Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) is implementing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices for employees
Gap Inc is integrating water stewardship and WASH access
Companies are joining coalitions such as the UN Global Compact Water Resilience Coalition to set ambitious targets and work collectively in basins to build long-term resilience

COVID-19 Impact Briefs

Water Stewardship

News

Latin American and Caribbean Companies Commit to Accelerating SDG Progress

UN Global Compact Hosts 12th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate at COP29

UN Global Compact Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) Showcases Progress in Private Sector Climate Action in Africa at COP29

First Oceans 20 Communiqué urges bold G20 action for ocean stewardship

UN Global Compact CMO Forum Inspires Marketing Leaders to be Catalyst for Sustainability

UN Global Compact SDG Investment Forum Concludes with Launch of Pioneering Report on Sustainable Finance

‘‘Unstoppable Africa” Concludes with Key Announcements and Commitments to Drive Growth in Africa

Unstoppable Africa: Global Africa Business Initiative Champions Pioneering Partnerships and Bold Visions for the Continent's Future

UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition Launches the Plankton Manifesto to Address Triple Planetary Crisis

Events

Office Hours: Communication on Progress

Academy