In an era marked by growing environmental awareness, intensifying stakeholder scrutiny, and mounting climate risks, corporate water risk management (i.e., corporate sustainability) is emerging as a foundational cornerstone of operational and financial resilience across all sectors. This includes everything from resource-intensive industries to consumer-facing businesses. Central to this change is the increasing focus on strategic management of water and wastewater, a critical operational input influenced by scarcity, regulatory pressures, and brand awareness.
This report analyzes 110 companies across 11 water-intensive industries that collectively generated US$9.2 trillion in revenues in 2023. These industries—which include both heavy and light sectors such as food & beverage, power, and mining—showcase diverse water use intensities and distinct challenges and approaches leveraged globally. The analysis highlights broader differences across industries.
The findings in this Insight Report uncover not only the extensive scope of corporate water use but also highlight 453 water management projects aimed at improving operational water efficiencies, promoting water reuse, and applying different strategies (e.g., on-site management vs. third-party offsets).
Table of Contents
Section 1: Drivers & Inhibitors for Sustainable Water Management
- Corporate Water Sustainability Aims to Mitigate Risk
- Water Sustainability Stakeholder Value Chain
- Water-Stress Areas Underpin Water Project Investments
- Water Projects Point to Quantifiable Savings
- Regulation Mandates Corporate Disclosure of Water Use
- Inhibitors for Investment in Sustainable Water
- Low Cost of Water Limits Incentive for Reductions
- Fragmented Sustainability Standards and Reporting Frameworks
Section 2: Comparing Water Sustainability Strategies
- Withdrawals Differ by Industry
- Industry Withdrawals Change over Time
- Industrial Reporting of Water Usage Rises
- Water-Focused Project Activity, Initiatives Grow
- Breaking Down Water Projects by Industry
- Companies Investing in Water Reuse
- Disclosed Expenditure on Water Management Projects
- Total Water-Specific Funding Disclosures Across Industries
- Green Financing Supports Company Sustainability Goals
Section 3: Industry Vertical Water Management Profiles
- Automotive
- Beauty & Personal Care
- Chemicals
- Data Centers
- Food & Beverage
- Mining
- Oil & Gas
- Pharmaceuticals
- Power
- Pulp & Paper
- Semiconductors
Appendix: Water Goals and Progress by Company
