5 June 2009 - World Environment Day
Accounting of water resources is critically important – says global accountancy body
Neglecting water management could cost as much as neglecting carbon reporting, says ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and ACCA team up to bring the critical issue of water footprinting reporting and water to the attention of businesses worldwide.
Carbon accounting and reporting of carbon footprint (total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities – like manufacturing a certain product) are essential for reducing global carbon emissions.
Water issues need to be given equal attention, says ACCA in its discussion paperWater: the next carbon?The report is based on a recent ACCA event on Water Footprinting. Dr Dave Tickner, head of freshwater programmes at WWF UK, who was one of the speakers at the event, says:
“Ensuring water security is one of the greatest challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The sustainable supply of water to all users, including businesses, underpins economic growth, poverty reduction, food and energy security and adaptation to the effects of climate change. Wise management of this critical natural resource is therefore in all of our interests. WWF believes that companies, as major users of water, could play a key role in promoting better water management.”
Calculating a water footprint and disclosing information on this and how the impact is being managed form one element of the drive towards sustainable water use, ACCA discussion paper states. According to Water Footprint Network ( the water footprint of 1 cup of coffee is 140 liters of water, and it takes 16000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of beef.
The paper summarises the outcomes and discussion points of the event, which include:
- water as a key business risk
- water footprinting methodologies
- public-private partnerships
- corporate water management and how it can be achieved
- mainstream investor interest in water
WWF UK and ACCA have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on ACCA’s UK Awards for Sustainability Reporting 2009 research, which will be assessing the standard of UK disclosures on wateruse and management.
Vicky McAllister, sustainability advisor at ACCA says:
“We are very pleased to be working with WWF UK on this issue.Businesses around the world should be addressing and reporting on the importance of water resources and management in their operations as well as upstream and downstream activities, one element of which is calculating the water footprint.”
Natalya Vovchuk, Head of ACCA Ukraine, Baltic and Caucasus States, says:
“Water management and water footprint reporting issues are specifically important in Ukraine because of the often obsolete and highly resource-consuming post-Soviet industrial facilities. The situation is getting worse due to dilapidating water supply and treatment systems. According to recent figures announced by Ukrainian Institute of Water Management And Ecological Problems, about 60% of drinking water is lost in obsolete water supply pipes. Issues of water management and water footprint reporting should become the part of public debate, and adequate practices are to be implemented by businesses throughout the country.”
The full report ‘Water, the next carbon?’is available here:
Further information on ACCA’s work on sustainability can be found at:
Stats on water footprinting:
According to
- it takes 140 litres of water to produce one cup of coffee. That is enough water to sustain one person for up to 3 months.
- in the USA the average water footprint is 2500 m3/cap/yr. In China the average water footprint is 700 m3/cap/yr.
- In Ukraine, the average footprint is 1316 m3/cap/yr, while the global average water footprint is1243 m3/cap/yr.
According to
.
- About 65 percent of the water that we consume is in our food.
- A tomato has about 13 litres of water embedded in it;
- an apple has about 70 litres;
- a pint of beer about 170 litres;
- a glass of milk about 200 litres;
- a hamburger about 2400 litres.
- It takes about 136 drops of water to produce one drop of tea, and about 1100 drops of water to produce one drop of coffee.
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Nataliya Vovchuk
Head of ACCA Ukraine, Baltic and Caucasus States
office 77, 9/2 Chervonoarmiyska St., Kyiv 01004, Ukraine
tel. +38 (044) 498 34 50
tel/fax +38 (044) 498 34 51
Andriy Gorbal
ACCA Public Affairs and Media Relations Officer for Central and Eastern Europe
+44 (0) 759 000 0803
+380 97 223 3204
Notes to Editors
- ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. We have 362,000 students and 131,500 members in 170 countries worldwide.
- ACCA has worked with governments, national organisations and development agencies in emerging economies- for over 20 years- promoting the accounting profession, to create value for the communities, businesses and individuals it serves.
- ACCA believes that globalisation of business means that one set of reporting standards is essential. We favour the principles-based IFRS.
- ACCA understands the real issues facing small businesses as 63,000 of our members work in SMEs or small partnerships worldwide.
- ACCA opened its Regional representative office in Kiev in 2004. The Kiev office serves as the main point of contact for all members, affiliates and students from Ukraine, Belarus, Baltic and Caucasus States. ACCA is the leading international accounting qualification with some 530 members and more than 4200 students across the region.