Use of the WBCSD Global Water Tool to Assess Global Water Supply Risk and Gain Valuable Strategic Perspective

Abstract

As water scarcity becomes more prevalent across the world, the risk to industry rises. There is a growing need for a practical tool that can map water use and effectively assess water risks for industries, especially global companies and organizations with operations and suppliers in numerous countries.The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) participated in the development of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Global Water Tool. Dow used the metrics and mapping results generated by the tool to review and communicate corporate risks with internal stakeholders.The WBCSD Global Water Tool has given Dow a unique and valuable perspective on the water use and relative corporate risks in their global operations. The Global Reporting Initiative metrics were especially useful for business stakeholders to frame the relative risks that exposure presents at the various production facilities.

Maturity Model Concepts for Sustainable Manufacturing

“…WBCSD has also developed tools to assist organizations with their efforts to improve sustainability. The Global Water Tool (GWT) helps companies assess their water use and associated risks in their global operations (Finley, Leathers, and Zhang 2008). WBCSD and Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) developed a Local Water Tool (LWT) that integrates with GWT and helps companies assess and manage water related issues at specific sites (GEMI, 2012).…”