A GROUP of 45 chief executive officers including Eskom’s chief executive, Brian Dames, representing a diverse range of global companies and regions has announced a major commitment to advance corporate water management practices.

The business leaders highlighted the urgency of the global water crisis, calling on government to work more actively with the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders. The group also outlined a range of public policy actions they consider governments should undertake to make meaningful progress on water and to better leverage the resources and capabilities of the international business community. This public policy includes:

• Developing policies and incentives to improve water productivity and efficiency in all sectors, especially agriculture.

• Establishing fair and appropriate valuation of water for agriculture, industry, and people while at the same time ensuring water and sanitation access in accordance with the United Nations human right to safe water and sanitation.

• Increasing investment in infrastructure and developing policies to accelerate progress on access to, and ensuring efficient and reliable delivery of water and sanitation services.

• Sharing policies, innovations, and tools among governments and other stakeholders in order to scale up good practice and to improve general efficacy over time.

• Working more actively with the business community, private finance and civil society.

These companies have committed to expand their water management practices, which include actions such as:

• Setting targets on water efficiency and waste-water management in factories and operations

•  Working with suppliers to improve their water practices

•  Partnering with non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, governments and public authorities, investors, and other stakeholders on water related projects and solutions.

The CEO’s have called on government attending the Rio+20 Earth Summit to make global water security a top priority.

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