Corporates continue to pledge non-standardised net water positive
The number of corporates pledging net water positive, often within the 2030 timeline, continue to grow.
Pledging Organisations
Microsoft
In 2020 Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) pledged that all operations would be ‘net water positive’ by 2030.1 In doing so, Microsoft aims to reduce water intensity while replenishing more water than it consumes. This replenishment will focus on restoring more water within water-stressed basins than the corporation consumes globally through a variety of initiative including:
- wetland restoration
- environmental restoration
- campus freshwater collection and waste treatment
- transitioning to non-water based data centre cooling solutions
- digitising of water and water- related data
- climate fund investments
- employee empowerment
Microsoft’s initiative specifically focus on key aspects of availability and accessibility, critical tenants of any net water positive commitment,
Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) joined the Net Water Positive 2030 realm in 2021.2 This pledge falls under Meta’s broader commitment of achieving net zero emissions across the companies entire value chain. Like others, the commitment made by Facebook focuses on water restoration efforts in stressed regions. These commitments consist of:
- providing drinking water in water-scarce regions
- modernising agricultural and irrigation systems
- floodplain restoration
- reducing water use across operations
- supporting local organisations
Pepsi
2021 ushered in Pepsi Co’s (NASDAQ: PEP) announcement of Net Water Positive,3 also with the stated goal of 2030. Pepsi aims to be among the “most water-efficient food or beverage manufacturers operating in high-risk watersheds”. The commitment includes:
- Partnering with water-focused NGOs
- Delivering safe water in sub-saharan Africa
- Reduce water use across operations
- Replenish more than 100% of total water use to watersheds
- Increase efficiency in water usage
CyrusOne
In 2020 CyrusOne (NASDAQ: CONE) included Net Water Positive within the corporate Annual Sustainability Strategy.4 While less broad than other commitments, CyrusOne is focusing on reaching Net Water Positive across operations in High Stress Regions. The company aims to reduce absolute water use while restoring 20% more water than operations consume. This is to be achieved via:
- Water-efficient data centre design
- Water-free cooling in data centres
- Environmental nonprofit partnerships targeting water restoration
The company is focused on reducing water use rather than looking for alternate sources.
BP
BP (NYSE: BP) has pledged to become “water positive” by 2035, deviating slightly from the other corporations on this list.5 BP aims to replenish more water than they use through operations by increasing efficiency and better managing effluent.
Replenishing water within water-scarce catchments BP operates in is the primary target of their commitment, with BP seeking secondary benefits of reduced water costs.
3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) while not a decidedly net water positive commitment, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with a decrease in water use of 25% by 2030.6 This commitment places a unique focus on water with a goal of reducing water usage by 9.5 billions gallons. This reduction aims for improvements in 3M’s identified areas of water-stressed geographical operations primarily through expertise and technology improvements.
Last update: 06/06/2022 – 3M Added