Organizational Reputation Could Rely on Your Organization's Water Efficient Strategy

The general public and the society as a whole are now very much capable of demanding corporate attention to be focused on sustainability. While some might argue that at any time an external body places pressure on an organization on an issue, it needs to be addressed at maximum urgency. One might also seek to make an argument that a motivation for sustainability is the financial benefits that it could lead to. The very first step to take is to begin to collect accurate and measurable data which could serve as baseline information. This can be applied to all resources which are considered scarce such as water and energy, with both water and carbon footprint necessarily reported.

Implementation of a water efficient strategy needs to be done once a baseline position has already been calculated, with a thorough analysis of the true cost of water well understood. The full accounting approach should be adopted, so that expenses associated with indirect liabilities are factored into the equation. If a particular action associated with water treatment or discharge "upsets" a particular stakeholder or an investor, what are the real implications, in financial and other terms of this action?

Society demands corporate attention to sustainability. While you could argue that any time an external entity places a "demand" upon an organization, it represents a threat that must be addressed. You could also argue that the drive to sustainability makes good fiscal sense as well. The initial step to take is to collect as much accurate and measurable data to be able to establish a baseline information. This should be applied to all scarce resources, including energy and water, with both a carbon and a water footprint revealed.

Once all actual liabilities and potential process-to-outcome scenarios are clearly understood, a water efficient strategy must be prioritized by the corporate board. It's time to practice sustainability on a daily basis, both internally and externally, by thought as well as by deed.

In terms of sustainability, liability does not end at the corporate boundary. We are compelled to direct more attention to the supply chain emissions and other consequent liabilities as these are perceived to have direct impacts to organizational operations.

We must engage with our suppliers to ensure that they are very efficient as they manufacture and produce, transport or dispose of products or services designed for our operation. This needs to be applicable not only to energy use and its consequent carbon emissions, but also has to translate a clearly defined water efficient strategy.

Many would consider water efficient strategy to be that which should be concentrated on the reduction of water use. There may, however, be more capital to be gained in both direct and indirect terms by focusing on the creation of products that are far less reliant on water at their core. Water efficient strategy starts at the design phase but not in the operational phase.

Remember that a company's water efficient strategy will be highly visible. By doing a good job in this area, any company will be able to have a boost on its public image and overall brand management. Despite the slow progress in terms of how organizations are taking up sustainability as a priority issue, no one should underestimate the potential gains.

As a water efficient strategy can be readily rolled out and (with the most effective measurement, tracking and reporting solutions in place) can be accurately revealed, much positional capital can be gained. While financial saving potential may well be the most justifiable reason for enacting a top class water efficient strategy, reputational gain must be quantifiable as well.