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Utilities 59%


Response rate: (16/27)


Industries within sector: Electric Utilities: 10 of 19; Gas Utilities: 1 of 2; Multi-Utilities: 5 of 6


Key findings


1. While a large percentage of Utilities companies report exposure to water-related risk, fewer companies report water-related management plans and concrete targets or goals.


2. Although water accounting is considered mature in this sector, just 47% of Utilities respondents report concrete targets or goals.


3. Utilities companies report an increased understanding of the linkages and trade-offs between water and carbon.


Leading practices


• Water accounting is considered mature among Utilities respondents; 100% of respondents are able to report water withdrawal data, 73% are able to report recycling/reuse data, and 100% are able to identify discharges by destination, treatment type, and quality.


• The sector is active in stakeholder engagement, with 73% of respondents taking action in community engagement, 47% taking collective action, and 33% taking action in public policy.


Water management and governance Report a policy, strategy or plan


80% 93% Board-level oversight of policy, strategy or plan


53% 57%


Report concrete targets or goals 47%


57% Report actions to manage resources or engage stakeholders 100% 94% Able to report water withdrawals 100% 95% Able to report water recycling/reuse 73% 58%


Able to identify linkages or trade-offs between water and carbon 80%


72%


Require key suppliers to report water use, risks and management 27% 26%


0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentage of respondents


Utilities Global 500


“The sustainable use of water is of growing importance for us… water is already one of the most important environmental topics for us today, which is why we set up a more extensive water-management system for the entire Group.” E.ON


Leading practice examples


Company EDF Group


PG&E


Leading Practice Risk management


Example


Invests significant resources to evaluate the potential risk caused by environmental changes (e.g. water quality, climate change, biodiversity) on the company’s electricity generation assets; collaborates with NGO’s and research organizations to better understand water-related impacts


Stakeholder engagement Working with the US Geological Survey (USGS) and California Department of Water Resources to begin using a USGS watershed model that will help manage reservoirs in watersheds experiencing loss of mountain snowpack; the model is currently being tested at low-elevation hydroelectric facilities


40


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