This document discusses water stewardship, particularly in Asia, and the potential role of the private sector. It notes that over 90% of companies agree a water crisis is looming and that water scarcity risks are equal to those of carbon emissions. More than half of the world's largest companies are now affected by water stress. The document outlines reasons for companies to practice water stewardship, including strategic risk reduction, market pressures, and leadership opportunities. It analyzes trends in Asia toward improved water risk mapping, disclosure, and stakeholders paying more attention. The document proposes areas where private sector can contribute, like financing, convening dialogues, clean technology, and advocacy. It presents a framework for water stewardship and calls for partnership rather

1. Water Stewardship ‐ what is the potential in
Asia?
Stuart Orr, WWF International

2. Background
• ‘A survey of 350
companies ‐ 92%
agree that a water
crisis is looming and
70% believe that the
risks of water scarcity
l h fare equal to those of
carbon emissions.’

3. Water Stewardship
• The Carbon Disclosure
Project (CDP) stated
that more than half ofthat more than half of
the world's largest
listed companies – the p
Global 500 – are now
affected by water
b h h i lstress – both physical
and regulatory

4. Why water stewardship?
• Strategic risk to operations or supply chainsg p pp y
• Reactive response to operational crisis
• Market pressure from investors and consumers
• Leadership related to corporate responsibility
• Comparative advantage marketing of the
companycompany

5. Water Stewardship – Trends in Asia
• From water footprint to value
t i kat risk
• Disclosure increasing
• Mapping and risk analysisMapping and risk analysis
improving
• Financial institutions asking g
new questions
• Consumers and media paying
more attention
• Appetite to work outside
the ‘fence line’ is strongthe fence‐line is strong

6. Lahore, Pakistan
• City‐wide partnership for sustainable water use andCity wide partnership for sustainable water use and
water stewardship in SMEs in Lahore, Pakistan

7. Textiles in Bangladesh
• Clear alignmentClear alignment
between economy,
health, state of rivers
and business supply
chains
• Stewardship
opportunities are
limitless with somelimitless with some
vision

8. Where do I start?

9. Framework for stewardship
Influence
Collective
Influence
Governance
Collective
Action
Internal
Knowledge
Internal
Action
Water
Knowledge
of Impact
Water
Awareness

10. Framework for stewardship
Influence
• Public goods
Collective
Influence
Governance • Indirect control
• Allocation of resources
• Places Collective
Action
Internal
• External environment
Knowledge
Internal
Action • Private goods
• Direct control
• Efficiency of resources
Water
Knowledge
of Impact
Efficiency of resources
• Products
• Internal environment
Water
Awareness

11. www.waterriskfilter.org

12. What could the private sector add?
• Loans/finance • Convening/
• Regulatory dialogues
• Health studies
g
• Clean technology
• Water trading
• Data sharing and
collection
g
• Standards
• Procurement policies
• Advocacy
• Institution
strengthening
• Consumer engagement
• Policy implementation
strengthening
• Community outreach
• Efficiency
• Financial analysis
Or government could blindly regulate and ignore the opportunities

13. Reluctant or ready?

14. Thank you
For more information:
Stuart Orr
sorr@wwfint.org@ g
Please visit
www.waterriskfilter.org