Currently, water stress affects more than 2 billion people around the world, a figure that is projected to rise. Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all are essential to human health and to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

I believe that foundational knowledge about the water landscape is critical. That’s why I am very thrilled to share insights and considerations for investing in climate responsible water solutions with fellow social investors. My hope is that such convenings can shake things up a bit, create dialogue and debate, and encourage all of us to use our limited resources as wisely as possible to have the greatest impact. Given the numerous alarming reports about increased demand for water, food and energy, and the current impacts of climate change, we really can’t wait.

Disruptive solutions are essential to an environmentally sustainable and an economically viable water cycle. If we do not immediately change our way of thinking and more importantly the way we act, it will not matter anymore how many projects get installed -- there will not be any water left to run them.

The private sector has opportunities to be part of the solution to water scarcity by leveraging its global reach, skills, workforce and speed in implementing programs. Water stewardship is creating little impact because the strategies are mostly transactional in nature, rather than transformative.

A transformational corporate water strategy would identify and invest in activities that create brand value, drive innovation in technology, strengthen water governance, advance funding and establish higher impact partnerships and business models. This approach generates greater societal value and positions a company as part of the solution to the 21st century water challenges of today and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Read the full article about water scarcity solutions by Annelies Schenk at AVPN Asia.