Summer 2020
About 70% of the earth's surface is covered in water. Most of it—97%—is salt water that's unfit for human consumption, crop irrigation and most industrial uses. Of the remaining 3% of the world's water resources, only about 1% is readily available for human usenote1.
Water is as essential to businesses as it is to sustaining all life on Earth.
In fact, UNESCO estimates that around 75% of the global workforce is moderately or heavily dependent on water. Water and access to water are drivers for both economic growth and the improvement of human healthnote2. All the more reason to protect and manage this precious resource.
There are multiple ways for companies to work on solving these water-related issues.
You can find many companies whose products and services revolve around the water theme in our SocieTerra responsible investment (RI) funds. In their own way, each one is helping preserve and manage water in a responsible, sustainable and profitable way. Here are some examples.
Company: Trimble
Trimble provides mobile worker solutions, remote monitoring technology, and management services and support for critical water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Trimble’s products use software to help farmers develop more sustainable and efficient practices. The products make it possible to incorporate key data, such as location, weather conditions, the amount of water available, soil characteristics and crop yields in order to optimize the use of resources like water and fertilizers. Their precision-agriculture solutions ensure that fields are watered only where and when needed, increasing crop yields by up to 30% and water efficiency by up to 20%note3.
This company is part of:
Company: Xylem
Xylem is a Fortune 1000 global water technology provider with one mission: to help customers solve water-related issues through the power of technology and expertise.
Xylem makes and provides water equipment and services, such as pumps, filters and testing instruments. Their products and services improve access to clean, safe and affordable water. They work on different water treatment technologies, including desalinization. They also collect and treat wastewater before it's released back into nature.
This company is part of:
Company: Ecolab
Ecolab is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. They help customers address their cleaning, sanitizing, food safety, and water and energy management needs.
Ecolab's wastewater treatment solutions help companies reduce toxic outputs that result from their processes. In 2018, Ecolab helped customers save 712 billion litres of water— enough drinking water for 975 million adultsnote4.
This company is part of:
Company: Coway
Coway is the leading water and air purifier supplier in South Korea. Their products improve access to clean and safe water for millions of clients.
Coway relies on a solid research and development infrastructure to reach foreign markets. Their main products are home wellness appliances, including air purifiers, water purifiers, bidets and juicers. Based on their internationally integrated brand, "Coway," they are accelerating their overseas business through active cooperation for sales with global home appliances manufacturers. Currently, with operations in the US, Malaysia, China and Thailand, they are developing products and services and implementing marketing strategies to meet local needs, thereby achieving sustainable growth.
This company is part of:
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