Water scarcity and pollution
Water is the lifeblood of people, the planet, and the economy. We work with investors and companies to turn smart water management into a business fundamental, advancing private-sector action to address the impacts of growing demand, wasteful use, harmful pollution, and the worsening climate crisis to the benefit of all.
%
of global water demand will be unmet by 2030 unless action is taken.
$TN
of global GDP will be exposed to high water stress by 2050.
%
of stocks in each of four major U.S. indexes are in industries with medium-to-high water risk.
Valuing Water Finance Initiative
Through the Ceres Valuing Water Finance Initiative, investors are making the business case for action to take on water risk so that companies recognize fresh water as the world’s most precious natural resource—essential to industries, communities, nature, and a resilient future.
Join a growing network of corporate and investor leaders
Through our networks, we leverage the power of institutional investors to drive corporate attention to, and management of, water risks. We also work with some of the world’s largest companies to improve their water stewardship—particularly in the food and agriculture sector.
Explore the company benchmark
Using publicly available disclosures, the Valuing Water Finance Initiative Benchmark provides a comprehensive view of focus companies’ vulnerabilities, opportunities, and strengths when it comes to managing water. The Benchmark provides a line of sight into what companies need to do to better protect the water supplies their operations and supply chains depend on.
Explore our water reports
We equip companies and investors with the latest research and resources to make the business case for the private sector to protect global water supplies and act on water as a financial risk.
The Investor Water Toolkit
Developed in collaboration with more than 40 institutional investors, the Investor Water Toolkit is the first comprehensive resource enabling investors—from pension funds to endowments to asset managers—to evaluate and tackle the water risks in their investment portfolios.
Our commitment to water
For more than a decade, Ceres has been committed to building the scientific and financial cases for investor and corporate water action.
The Valuing Water Finance Initiative
Ceres launched The Valuing Water Finance Initiative. the only global investor-led effort aimed at moving companies to respond to the global water crisis. Launched with nearly 64 institutional investors, the initiative engages companies with large water footprints to act on water as a financial risk by addressing their impacts at the pace and scale necessary to protect freshwater resources that businesses, ecosystems, and communities depend on. The initiative has since grown to nearly 100 participating investors.
The Valuing Water Finance Task Force
Ceres and investors formed the Valuing Water Finance Task Force, an advisory body for the Valuing Water Finance Initiative. Task Force members developed the six Corporate Expectations for Valuing Water, providing investors the foundation to work with companies in addressing their broad water impacts. The Task Force continues to guide the initiative's priorities by providing feedback and support to ensure it is driven by investor priorities and achieving its objectives.
The Global Engagement on Meat Sourcing
In collaboration with the FAIRR Initiative, Ceres facilitated the Global Engagement on Meat Sourcing, an investor engagement focused on the intersection of water and climate issues with fast food giants Chipotle Mexican Grill, Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Restaurant Brands International, Wendy’s Co., and Yum! Brands. The engagement grew to include over 90 investors with combined assets of $11.4 trillion. A testament to the success of the initiative, all six companies have publicly stated they have already set, or will set, global GHG reduction targets approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative. This initiative was retired in 2022.
The Investor Water Toolkit
Ceres released the Investor Water Toolkit, the first-ever comprehensive resource for investors to evaluate and act on water risks in their portfolios. The toolkit was developed in collaboration with more than 40 institutional investors from across the globe and remains the ultimate resource on water integration written for investors by investors.
The AgWater Challenge
The AgWater Challenge, led by Ceres and World Wildlife Fund, engaged major companies with significant agricultural supply chains on water stewardship. The effort spurred some of the world’s most influential companies to make stronger, more transparent, time-bound and measurable commitments that better protect our limited freshwater resources. This initiative was retired in 2022 but the corporate commitments live on.
Feeding Ourselves Thirsty
Ceres’ Feeding Ourselves Thirsty was the first-of-its kind benchmark report and investor tool that sounded the alarm for food companies to mitigate risks and ensure long-term profitability in our rapidly warming world. The report, which was released every other year through 2021, ranked the largest global food companies based on their management of water risks in their operations and agricultural supply chains. It also provided insights to companies on opportunities for improvement and empowered investors with guidance and relevant data to evaluate the water risk management of these companies.
Connect the Drops
Ceres’ Connect the Drops initiative brought together 35 companies with strong leadership in corporate water stewardship to identify policy engagement opportunities to drive water sustainability in California. Advocacy and engagement of Connect the Drops corporate members contributed to passage of Water Use Efficiency Bills AB 1668 and SB 606, the Open and Transparent Water Data Act (AB 1755), and the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund (SB 200), among others.
Ceres Aqua Gauge™
Ceres Aqua Gauge™ was a tool to help equity investors interpret and evaluate information provided by companies on their management of water issues and to provide a framework to guide investor engagement and dialogue with companies. Built on the foundation outlined by The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, the tool fed into development of the first edition of the Feeding Ourselves Thirsty company benchmark and the Investor Water Toolkit currently utilized by investors to evaluate and act on water risks in their portfolios
We set the bar for sustainable business leadership
The Ceres Roadmap 2030 presents a vision for sustainable business leadership. It provides a practical 10-year action plan to help companies strategically navigate the new and ever-changing business reality and thrive in the accelerated transition to a more equitable, just, and sustainable economy.
Events and webinars
Support our work to protect water
Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions. Our work to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable economy depends on contributions from our generous supporters.
Never miss an alert
Sign up for the latest news and updates from Ceres.