Business Action for Water BAW: Report

1

Business Action for Water (BAW) Report

• Begun last fall, BAW has been a success by
  grouping together assorted business associations
  as a platform (ICC, WBCSD, Aquafed, BIAC, TOBB,
  TUSIAD, etc)

2
BAW concrete results

• BAW represented business and industry at all four
  World Water Forum PrepCom meetings that worked to
  present Minsters a Statement and Water Guidelines
• BAW mobilised 8 senior business representatives
  to take part in all 8 Ministerial Round Table
  discussions.
• The business contribution to several of these
  discussions was openly recognised in the session
  feedback.
• BAW spokesperson was called to make a short
  speech in the closing plenary session of the
  forum.
• Business was seen as a positive stakeholder
• BAW ?credible platform for engagement
• Results at minimal costs to ICC

3
5th World Water Forum

• Draft Ministerial Statement a non-binding
  document providing guidance for action to develop
  tangible answers to the current water issues
  was largely favourable to business BAW provided
  significant input (based on partners views)
  through interventions
• Istanbul Water Guidelines
• Ministerial Roundtables BAW provided panellists

4

ICC Role both BAW and more

• Developed ICC Discussion paper ICC Views on
  Water for 5th World Water Forum
• Produced Leaflet Best Practices in Water
  Management with nine member best practices with
  web page
• Commented on Interventions (PrepCom) and
  Ministerial Statement, Water Guidelines
• BAW Press release and several ICC web stories
• Co-represented Business and Industry at two
  PrepComs (Paris)

5
Post Forum Future of BAW

• Water demand management, waste water reusage,
  desalination, drinking water quality, water
  transport, and public awareness were among some
  new focal points.
• Water being seen as an adaptation to climate
  change issue
• Water and energy are now becoming inseparable
  issues. Food production, hydropower, waste water,
  bioenergy and climate are those areas where the
  relations between water and energy are most
  clear.

• All investment studies should now include
  evaluations of both energy and water
  sustainability. Impacts on regional water balance
  and water demand in energy planning options need
  to be considered.
• Water footprint seemed to be an emerging
  discussion point, but the first remedy is
  expected through reducing the energy footprint.
• Sanitation may eventually become the main topic
  of WWF6

6
For further discussion Future of BAW

• If BAW is to continue being an active voice on
  water issues will require additional resources
  and funding?
• Seek to bring in more business voices/groups
  (demonstrate greater unity)?
• ICC could focus on inter-connectivity of water
  issue, i.e
• Economic development
• Climate Change
• Water Energy
• Water Food
• Water Lifestyles
• Water trade