THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
“ Water is the number one physical risk that companies will face in the changing climate”
Emilio Tenuta, SVP & CSO, Ecolab
“ We see the effects of climate change impacting areas around the world and it is imperative to continue to innovate and to use the technology already on the shelf.“ Now, it’ s really a matter of enabling that technology with the growth of AI.”
A key tool, the Ecolab Smart Water Navigator, helps organisations assess water risks, set context-based water goals and implement solutions. An AI-enabled version of this online tool is planned for 2026.
Water scarcity presents mounting business risks Current projections indicate a 56 % global freshwater deficit by 2030, representing an existential risk for businesses.
“ Water is the number one physical risk that companies will face in the changing climate,” Emilio says.
“ There’ s more pressure than ever on businesses to reduce water use. And water is a critical resource and dependency; every part of our global economy requires water to produce the goods and services that we enjoy today.”
He says the expertise and solutions offered by Ecolab enable businesses to increase water resilience while also supporting responsible business growth. Emilio says:“ We help them do more with less. If you use less water, you’ re less vulnerable to climate change. But at the same time, if you use less water, you also use less energy because water requires heating, cooling and pumping.”
Ecolab addresses the challenges and turns them into opportunities through smart water management and nature-based solutions.
28 October 2025