Water: A Capital to be Valued
Water is no longer just a natural resource, it has become a capital in its own right for businesses. The study "Water, a capital to be valued: strategies and opportunities," presented by Amel JRAD, PhD in Hydrobiology at the University of Toulouse, during the event RésEau d'Opportunités: Résilience & Eau, les Clés de Demain, highlights the challenges and strategies for integrating water at the heart of organizational performance.
Quantifying Water's Environmental Impact
The international standard ISO 14046 allows for the quantification of environmental impacts related to water for a product, process, or organization. It takes into account the water consumed, which is not returned to the natural environment, and the water polluted throughout the life cycle. This approach provides businesses with a concrete tool to evaluate, anticipate, and value their water capital.
A Strategic Lever
In fact, adopting this standard is not just an environmental approach: it represents a genuine strategic lever. Firstly, it enables the identification of risks related to water stress by mapping the vulnerabilities of the supply chain. Secondly, it promotes cost reduction by optimizing water and energy use and limiting waste. In terms of innovation, it encourages the design of products and processes that are less water-intensive. Finally, it serves as an effective communication tool, attesting to environmental performance for customers, investors, and partners, and facilitating the anticipation of future regulations.
Taking Action
To secure water capital in the long term, several actions are recommended:
- "Water 2050" Strategy: a roadmap to ensure the availability and quality of water in the decades to come.
- New Water Code: modernizing governance, protecting rights, and promoting efficient management considered a strategic investment.
- Investment in Infrastructure: a national priority for renovating networks and developing water reuse projects (REUT) for agriculture and industry.
- Effective Governance: strengthening integrated management, ensuring consistency of actions, and encouraging incentive pricing.
- Communication and Awareness: promoting water as a national capital and strategic value.
- Public-Private Partnerships: collaborating to structure resilient and sustainable water management.
Conclusion
The study shows that considering water as a capital is no longer an optional choice, but a necessity for businesses concerned about their performance, resilience, and environmental responsibility. Implementing concrete strategies and using tools like ISO 14046 can transform an environmental challenge into an economic and strategic opportunity.
