Doing Business with the World - Mapeo de Promotores de RSE

How businesscan contributeLarge corporations can partner withnational governments and localauthorities to provide sustainable waterdelivery models adapted to low-incomemarkets. This includes infrastructure suchas water pipes to link populations to themain water supply, construction ofdrains for wastewater disposal, andbuilding of sewage treatment plants toprocess wastewater.The private sector can also engage in themaintenance of existing infrastructureand the use of leak detectiontechnologies to help stem water loss. Itcan of course help prevent watercontamination. Other business-ledinitiatives to improve water supply andreduce over-use of aquifers andgroundwater sources include theintroduction of desalination plants andwater recycling facilities, particularly incoastal countries or regions that lackabundant supplies of freshwater.At a community level, large corporationscan help provide solutions for peoplewho are too remote for connection tothe mains. This could include, forexample, the provision of point-of-usewater purification to deliver safe drinkingwater, or the supply of equipment forthe in situ treatment of wastewater toimprove sanitation. Partnering with localentrepreneurs to distribute point-of-useequipment and train communitymembers in its use could yield twinbenefits: improve local livelihoods andopen up new opportunities for largecorporations by increasing their access toremote markets.Companies can have a positive impacton their business by working “beyondthe fenceline” to create partnerships withlocal communities to maximize water asa shared resource. Protection ofwatersheds and creation of artificialwetlands are examples of beneficialpartnerships with communities.Large corporations can also help inreducing the water footprint of localindustry sectors through the marketingof water-efficient technologies andprocesses. There is particular scopewithin the agricultural sector, where thedevelopment of drip irrigationtechniques is leading to substantialwater savings.In addition to technology, market-basedmechanisms, including water qualitytrading, or payments for wetlandprotection, etc., also help to meet theglobal water challenge. Trading of waterrights is also gaining ground.Key messagesFor business, investing inimproved water provision can: Strengthen and secure the licenseto operate; Provide access to previouslyunexplored markets through thedevelopment of low-cost,appropriate mechanisms to provideclean water to underservedpopulations; Lower operating costs byincreasing the efficiency ofwater use; Reduce levels of wastewaterpollution; Lead to a healthier and moreproductive work force, particularlyin regions that are prone to waterbornediseases.For governments, an effectivepolicy framework for improvedwater provision can: Lead to improved infrastructure forwater and sanitation; Result in higher levels of humandevelopment and social progress; Reduce the numbers of peoplewithout access to safe drinkingwater and adequate sanitation; Improve health, lower mortalityrates and health costs associatedwith water-borne diseases; Reduce water pollution throughthe enforcement of penalties forillegal contamination; Promote enterprise developmentfor the provision of water andsanitation services.47