Strategic Intelligence: Water Risk and Stewardship in Healthcare

Global freshwater use has doubled since the mid-1960s, and demand is expected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, exposing healthcare companies to operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational pressures.

Key Highlights

• Safe drinking water is a basic human right that is vital for protecting the world from waterborne diseases. However, billions of people are unable to access it. Hospitals primarily use water for cleaning and sterilization, but many lack basic water services. Pharmaceuticals are entering the world’s rivers, polluting waterways and increasing antibiotic resistance.
• Water stewardship involves using water in ways that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial. Reducing water use, adopting alternative cooling methods, increasing recycling, and taking basin-level action will protect operations and help mitigate emerging regulatory and reputational risks.

Report Scope

• Freshwater is a fundamental resource for communities, ecosystems, and businesses. Around 1% of water on the planet is readily available for human and environmental use. The severity of water stress is increasing due to climate change. Water stress is impacting business operations and causing water insecurity among populations that depend on freshwater for drinking and agricultural use.
• This report includes a framework for understanding the four main types of corporate water risk (operational, regulatory, reputational, and financial).
• It also identifies the key water risks impacting the healthcare sector, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
• It introduces the analyst's water stewardship framework, which identifies six key approaches to water-related risk.

Reasons to Buy

• Addressing water challenges and identifying available water sources are key to creating resilient supply chains and ensuring water is readily available for future generations. This report identifies the main water risks impacting the healthcare sector and identifies ways to address water-related challenges.