The use and strategic management of water resources in the business sector was the central theme of the Water Forum, held by the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), in partnership with Ambev, Coca-Cola, HSBC and the Água Brasil Program, a partnership between Banco do Brasil, ANA and WWF, on March 19, in São Paulo. “Water use is a very critical issue worldwide. The business sector is aware of this challenge, which is one of the nine themes being worked on in the project Action 2020", said Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS. The event – which brought together experts from the business sector, government, civil society and academia – was held during the week in which International Water Day is celebrated (March 22).

For the president of the World Water Council, Benedito Braga, this resource will be a driver for the development of poorer economies. “Once governments understand that a country’s water resource risk management levels are directly related to a strong economy, human development will happen,” said Braga.

In the first panel of the Forum, representatives from the business sector advocated decentralized management of river basins. “There is still much room for improvement in the functioning of the 200 existing River Basin Committees, but management as it is done today is essential for companies, since each region has its own peculiarities and the impacts and dependencies differ from one region to another,” noted Fernando Malta, coordinator of the CEBDS Water Thematic Chamber.

For the president of Instituto Trata Brasil, Édison Carlos, it is necessary to change the way leaders think. “The committees need to be managed by technicians, without political ties. Sanitation is a technical issue,” he said. “It is not enough for the government to deliver works; it needs to invest in the professionals who will take care of the treatment plant. Passing resources to those who do not know how to use them is throwing money away,” said Ângelo Lima, analyst for the WWF Conservation Program.

Regarding the issue of strategic water management for risk management (the topic of the second panel), in the view of the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment present at the event, the lack of knowledge about the future scenario in relation to climate change impacts long-term planning. “One thing is certain, efforts in relation to climate change have already migrated from mitigation to adaptation,” stated Mariana Egler, environmental analyst at the MMA. Since our energy matrix is directly dependent on rainfall, diversifying energy sources is an important factor in stimulating the country’s growth. “Agriculture can provide a new source of energy with ethanol. We need to realize the power of agriculture in generating energy as well,” said Fabrício Peres, Latin America leader of the “The Good Growth Plan” Program.

The use of water in the production of services and goods (and in consumption) has its own methodology of metrics, based on the water footprint. However, there is still a lack of clarity, especially for companies, on the best way to analyze the water footprint of business and communication. For the business sector, it is more difficult to understand that not all water footprint results are sustainable and that the indicator, by itself, does not reveal sustainable management. “The assessment of the water footprint cannot be global. Each business region and each industry sector has its differences”, observed Pedro Almada, Environmental Analyst at Vale and Vice President of CTÁgua.

To demonstrate that leading companies have already realized the direct impact and dependence of their businesses on water, Ambev, Coca-Cola, HSBC and Banco do Brasil presented, during the fourth panel of the Forum, success stories in water resource management. When asked how companies can be important players in water management, they were all unanimous in responding that, in order to scale up good practices, a lot of dialogue and concrete partnerships with clear objectives and common ground are needed.

Economic Benefits of Expanding Basic Sanitation

During the 'Water Forum: strategic management in the business sector', the publication “Economic Benefits of Expanding Basic Sanitation”, by Instituto Trata Brasil and CEBDS. The publication highlights the main benefits that the country would have if it achieved universal access to treated water and sewage services. Among several areas that would improve with these services, the study highlights the benefits to health, education, employment and income, real estate and tourism.

See the letter from the CEO of the National Water Agency about the event.