Take action on water: risks and business opportunities

On current economic and population growth trajectories, by 2030 global water supplies will satisfy only 60 percent of demand. In the UK, the south-east of England already has less water available per person than Sudan and Syria. Inefficient use of freshwater, pollution of freshwater sources and excessive extraction is resulting in areas of water stress. Water scarcity therefore poses a material risk to businesses with rising prices, heightened regulation, physical security risks and greater market competition.