Abstract
Over the past 15 years, several water megatrends have accelerated and been accentuated, challenging societies and economies across the world. These include growing water shortages stemming from overuse , increasing risk of political and/or societal tensions around water access and use, heightened risks for the water supply security of private companies, and, last but not least, the deterioration of water infrastructure (municipal, other) due to insufficient investment. Water is not a new concern for Nestlé . From the very start of Nestlé’s industrial activities, 150 years ago, water has been central to the company. Today, three concerns are at the forefront: will there be enough water to grow the food needed both to feed people directly and as an input for its production; will there be the necessary water security (supply and quality) for the operations of its factories; and, finally, will there be safe water for its consumers to prepare their meals? As these new megatrends were emerging, the company took a closer look at its overall water strategy. This resulted in a comprehensive water stewardship approach covering four strategic impact areas—factories, watersheds, agriculture supply chain and communities—and including collective action such as joining and setting up overarching alliances amongst stakeholders in local watersheds and providing support for the strategic approaches of governments to address water challenges, particularly overuse, in a relevant and cost-effective manner.
Notes
- 1.
Definition of ‘Creating Shared Value’: We believe we can make an important contribution to society, by going a step beyond corporate social responsibility to create value through our core business both for our shareholders and society. We prioritise the areas of nutrition, water and rural development to create shared value; this requires long-term thinking.
- 2.
IWRM is hence a ‘process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner, without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.’ Global Water Partnership (2004).
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Bulcke, P. (2018). Nestlé and Its Response to Megatrends in Water. In: Biswas, A., Tortajada, C., Rohner, P. (eds) Assessing Global Water Megatrends. Water Resources Development and Management. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6695-5_13
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