DENVER, CO, Apr. 1, 2009 -- As the world grapples with limited natural resources and a changing climate, CH2M HILL has partnered with World Business Council for Sustainable Development to help businesses and governments address the risks around scarce water supplies. Today, CH2M HILL announced the latest version of the Global Water Tool -- an online resource to help companies calculate water footprints, determine efficiencies and minimize external risks -- is now available.
The Global Water Tool was created by CH2M HILL and an advisory board of 22 members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a Geneva-based organization of 200 global companies representing 30 countries and 20 industrial sectors. Driving the development at CH2M HILL were Jan Dell, vice president; Partha Bora, project manager; and Dan Huber, information solutions.
The Global Water Toolwas launched in August 2007 and has now been updated with the latest water datasets. Since its launch, the tool has been employed by more than 200 companies and has become the global standard for measuring internal water use and identifying external risks.
The latest version of the Global Water Tool was unveiled at the World Water Forum in Istanbul, Turkey.
"Business leaders and policy makers recognize that the intersection of water, energy and climate change will have significant impacts on global businesses and communities," said Jan Dell, Energy and Chemicals, vice president.
"The Global Water Tool is an example of how CH2M HILL is helping businesses adapt to the changing climate and use resources in the most effective and sustainable way," she added. "The widespread uptake by global companies has proven that there are real business drivers now for action."
World Water Tool Facts
The Tool is designed to answer the following questions, and more.*
Who is the Tool for? Companies and any other stakeholders who need to better understand the water issues in their operations and that of their extended supply chain.
What does the Tool do?
-- Allows calculation of water consumption & efficiency. Compares a company's water uses (including staff presence, industrial use, and supply chain) with validated water and sanitation availability information -- on a country and watershed basis.
-- Establishes relative water risks in a company's portfolio to prioritize action -- including more detailed assessment.
-- Creates key water Global Reporting Initiative indicators, inventories, risk and performance metrics and geographic mapping.
-- Enables effective communication with internal and external stakeholders regarding a company's water issues.
Where are a company's water risks?
-- How many sites are in extremely water-scarce areas? Which sites are at greatest risk? How will that look in the future?
-- How many employees live in countries that lack access to improved water and sanitation?
-- How many corporate suppliers are in water scarce areas now? How many will be in 2025?
Headquartered near Denver, Colo., employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management and operations for government, civil, industrial and energy clients.
###
