Business, Water and Wetlands
In 2000, Lafarge, the world leader in construction materials, was the first industrial group to become a WWF Conservation Partner. Since then they have implemented a plan to manage and better conserve water resources.
"Business, Water and Wetlands" is a symposium and roundtable which will be held in Bucharest, Romania on 9-10 July 2012, in parallel to the Ramsar Conference of the Parties
Further event information
Why should businesses care
Increasingly, companies acknowledge a looming crisis in water scarcity and quality, and see this directly impacting their bottom line. Hence, they are increasingly active in the water agenda.
Interest and action is coming from “typical” companies in water but also from multi-nationals and their suppliers ranging from clothing and apparel, to retail to food and beverage and the extractives sectors. This has in turn been spurred on by greater needs for information from global investors, banks and insurance companies around water related risks, activities and action.
Therefore, companies are seeking to become involved in more than just community relations to protect their social license to operate, and are now aiming to align their risk management agenda with larger water management activities. As most fresh water comes from or through wetlands, it is an opportune moment to hold a symposium alongside the Conference of the Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Interest and action is coming from “typical” companies in water but also from multi-nationals and their suppliers ranging from clothing and apparel, to retail to food and beverage and the extractives sectors. This has in turn been spurred on by greater needs for information from global investors, banks and insurance companies around water related risks, activities and action.
Therefore, companies are seeking to become involved in more than just community relations to protect their social license to operate, and are now aiming to align their risk management agenda with larger water management activities. As most fresh water comes from or through wetlands, it is an opportune moment to hold a symposium alongside the Conference of the Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Salvatore Gabola, Director of Public Affairs for Coca-Cola Europe, and WWF staff inspect a wetland restoration project aimed at reaching Coca-Cola's water replenishment targets. Garla Mare, Romania.
Symposium and roundtable
The purpose of the symposium is to provide a platform to discuss issues related to the role of the private sector in water, the water footprint, watershed, wetland and river basin management globally, including the Danube basin.These issues will be explored in two related events:
- A symposium on 9 July 2012 (11:00-18:00) that will examine general issues and experience related to the private sector and water.
- A roundtable in the morning of 10 July 2012 (09:00-12:30) that will be devoted to the private sector and water in the Danube River Basin, and that will be of special interest not only for business but also authorities responsible for watershed and basin management.
Expected outcomes of the two events
- Discussion of the present and projected future state of water resources globally, in Europe and in the Danube basin in particular.
- The implications for the private sector, including exposure to risk, e.g. related to supplies, costs, regulation or reputation.
- The identification and sharing of best practice related to business, water and wetland management, with specific examples from the private sector (among other Coca-Cola, Lafarge, etc.) as well as relevant authorities and other stakeholders.
- Identification of partners from both the private and public sectors to further explore shared concerns regarding water, wetland and watershed management.
- The implications of regulation and legislation, particularly the EU Water Framework Directive, for the private sector.
Contact
Ioana Busila, ibusila@wwfdcp.ro, T: +40 2131 74 996Address of the event
Hotel Parliament, 106 Izvor Street, 5th District, 050564, Bucharest, Romania
Hotel Parliament
