WATER AND MARINE RESOURCES
Why we need a new approach to water
Water in continuous use
Hardly any company can avoid the use of water. It is used day after day in different states, qualities and intensities. It cools and purifies, rinses and cleanses, nourishes and moisturizes, transports and absorbs. It is extracted, drained, pumped, stored and reprocessed. However, the constant availability and arbitrary use of water, including the oceans, has been taken for granted for too long.
In the near future, companies will be required to disclose information about their water consumption and use of marine resources in a sustainability report in accordance with the requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) as part of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Water is not simply water
Let's take another closer look at the first aspect of Standard E3, “Water Resources”. Our “we-have-water-in-abundance” mentality has led to a careless, sometimes negligent use of water, which we now have to laboriously relearn. Although more than two thirds of the earth is covered by water, not all water is the same. Less than three percent is very unevenly distributed fresh water. Of this, only around 0.3 % is accessible as surface water in the form of rivers, lakes or swamps. This is increasingly burdened by economic activities – 70 % of human water use worldwide is for agriculture.
In a recent study, research teams found that groundwater levels around the world are falling at an ever-increasing rate, with consequences for people and the economy.
Marine resources – endangering the world's seventh largest economy
It is obvious that water is an essential component of any business activity. But what about companies that do not belong to such obvious sectors such as fishing, aquaculture or tourism? What do they have to do with the marine resources? One touch point is logistics: over 90 % of goods flows across the seas. The pharmaceutical industry benefits from the oceans as a source of biological resources for developing new drugs.
Moreover, deep-sea minerals are becoming increasingly sought after, most recently in the public eye due to the debate about manganese nodules, which can be used in a wide range of industries. Companies therefore benefit from the ecosystem services of the oceans in very diverse ways that are sometimes not immediately obvious.
Goals of the UN Ocean Decade
Although the oceans’ annual gross value added is conservatively estimated at 2.5 trillion US dollars – equivalent to the seventh largest economy in the world – we are increasingly jeopardising this immense potential. As part of the UN Decade of Marine Research for Sustainable Development (2021 - 2030), or UN Ocean Decade for short, a total of ten challenges and seven goals were defined in order to achieve a sustainable future in dealing with the ocean. We are the sole management consultancy in Germany that is a business partner of the UN Ocean Decade, with Dr. Alexis Katechakis serving as one of the four board members on the German Committee. The three goals – a clean ocean, a productive ocean and an inspiring ocean are the focus of our work.
Potential for nature and economy
From 2025, the first companies within the framework of the CSRD for the European Sustainability Reporting Standard E3 “Water and Marine Resources” will have to report retroactively for the 2024 financial year and annually thereafter, among other aspects, including their water consumption, impacts on water quality and availability, and management strategies for water and marine resources.
The “Water and Marine Resources” standard addresses well-understood sustainability topics with enormous potential – for nature, but also for companies and their employees. From car manufacturers to energy producers, from chemical companies to food retailers and world-famous sports clubs, we have already helped numerous companies in understanding their impact on water and marine resources and steering them towards towards transformational directions. We would also be happy to support your team in identifying the relevant reporting topics, and if necessary, to develop a holistic sustainability strategy.
How we support you
Keynote speech “Fascination with water”
We take you on a “deep dive” into the world of fresh and salt water and convey the connections between water, the economy and your company
Water and Marine Resources Bootcamp
In an intensive workshop, we bring all of your company's employees involved in the topic to the same level of knowledge
Workshop “1 HourForTheWater” (#1HFW)
In an interactive one-hour format, we raise awareness and activate your entire workforce about the topic of water and oceans in a playful and highly informative way
Fit for Legislation – Water and Marine Resources
Our experts will tell you how and what you need to report on the topic of water and marine resources in the future
Fit for Strategy – Water and Marine Resources
We would be happy to help you in building a strategy around the topic of water, or in adapting or sharpening an existing strategy.
What companies should know about water and marine resources
Here you will find the most important questions and answers. We would be happy to answer any further questions in a personal conversation.
Who trusts us when it comes to water and marine resources
Water and Marine Resources Insights
Selected project descriptions and blog articles for anyone who wants to know more.
