Carbon Disclosure Project 2011
“Our activities are often located in remote, arid environments, with limited access to high-quality water. In recognition that water is a critical input for our mining,
smelting, refining and petroleum businesses, we continue to identify opportunities for water reuse or recycling, efficient use and responsible waste water disposal. Working with our communities is important to better understanding and addressing common water needs.”
BHP Billiton
Many companies are moving toward better addressing water-related issues
Fewer companies in both the Australia 100 (86%, 19) and South Africa 100 (69%, 18) report having a water policy, strategy, or plan than the Global 500 (93%, 176) (Figure 12). Areas of focus within these plans include measuring and reporting water use, minimizing water use and wastewater discharge, increasing water recycling/reuse, and protecting biodiversity. Only 42% of respondents (11) in the South Africa 100 and 50% of respondents (11) in the Australia 100 set concrete, quantitative goals, compared to 57% (109) in the Global 500.
Most respondents in the Australia 100 (82%, 18) and South Africa 100 (85%, 22) are reporting actions to manage water resources in their direct operations. However, fewer companies are managing water issues in their supply chains, with only 32% of respondents (7) in the Australia 100 and 42% of respondents (11) in the South Africa 100 taking action in supply chain and watershed management. Whereas 26% of respondents (50) in the Global 500
report that they require key suppliers to report water use, risks, and management plans, only 14% of respondents (3) in the Australia 100 and 19% (5) in the South Africa 100 require this information from their suppliers.
The ability to report water withdrawals and water recycling/ reuse data is similar in both regions to the Global 500, although more respondents in the South Africa 100 and fewer respondents in the Australia 100 have had the majority of this data verified compared to the Global 500. The ability of respondents to report water accounting data at the same level as companies in the Global 500 suggests that Australian and South African companies are taking some steps to address water-related risks.
Awareness of the relationship between water and carbon is less than among companies in the Global 500
Respondents in the Australia 100 and South Africa 100 report less awareness of the interconnections between water use and carbon emissions: 55% of respondents (12) in the Australia 100 and 65% of respondents (17) in the South Africa 100 are able to identify linkages or trade-offs between water and carbon, compared to 72% (137) in the Global 500.
GPT Group: investing in water efficiency
Since 2005, GPT Group has saved 3.9 million kilolitres of water by taking action such as working with tenants to reduce their water use, installing water efficient appliances, using recycled water, harvesting rainwater, implementing black-water recycling plants, and planting to suit the local environment. GPT Group saved 1.1 million kilolitres in 2010, which not only provided environmental benefit but also resulted in avoided costs of US$3.8 million.
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