Ecolab ’ s Emilio Tenuta discusses the critical nexus between the water crisis and climate change , urging businesses to prioritise taking action
ESG
THE INTRINSIC LINK BETWEEN
CLIMATE CHANGE & THE WATER CRISIS
Ecolab ’ s Emilio Tenuta discusses the critical nexus between the water crisis and climate change , urging businesses to prioritise taking action
WRITTEN BY : LUCY BUCHHOLZ
By early 2025 , almost half of the world ’ s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity , according to UNICEF . What ’ s more , by 2030 , some 700 million people could be displaced by intense water scarcity and 1-in-4 children worldwide will be living in areas of extremely high water stress .
Yet the intrinsic link between the water crisis and climate change can often be overlooked . Climate change disrupts rainfall patterns , increases evaporation with higher temperatures , and melts glaciers – all of which impact water availability . Sea levels are rising and extreme weather events – driven by climate change – cause flooding and damage water systems . Natural water regulations are impacted by changes within ecosystems , and these changes only worsen water scarcity across the globe .
Emilio Tenuta , Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer , Ecolab , says that globally , we ’ re “ falling behind ” on the work that needs to be done to achieve the targets set in place and to prevent further damage .
Echoing research from the World Economic Forum , Tenuta highlights the role that nature plays in supporting economic activity around the world , stating that over half of the world ’ s GDP – US $ 44tn of economic value generation – is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services and , as a result , exposed to risks from nature loss . But nature loss can not be the sole focus ; water also has to be considered .
With Sustainability Magazine , Tenuta explores this link in greater depth , while highlighting the pioneering work that Ecolab is doing to reduce the issue .
Raising awareness of the water crisis In 2020 , Ecolab launched its 2030 Impact Goals , its most ambitious yet , which focus on creating a positive impact by working with its customers within its operations , communities ,
58 October 2023