Toward Rio: White Paper Addresses How Conflict Can Affect Water Resources
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New York, United States of America
(New York, 11 June 2012) – The UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute today released a white paper, Water as a Casualty of Conflict: Threats to Business and Society in High-Risk Areas, in advance of the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum, to be held 15-18 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
While much research has been produced in recent years on how water use and pollution can exacerbate conflict, the white paper focuses more broadly on the ways conflict and high-risk situations can affect water systems and resources. The new research – which also brings together the work of the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate, in collaboration with the UN Global Compact –Principles for Responsible Investment Expert Group on Responsible Business & Investment in High-Risk Areas – provides a framework for understanding the nature of water challenges in conflict and high-risk areas and how these, in turn, affect business operations and society.
The white paper also incorporates examples of impacts on business operations, and anecdotally highlights what companies are doing in response.
Water as a Casualty of Conflict: Threats to Business and Society in High-Risk Areas will be officially introduced at the Responsible Water Management Practices in Conflict Affected & High-Risk Areas session at the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum, on 18 June at 2:00 p.m.
About the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum: Innovation and Collaboration for the Future We Want
Hosted by the UN Global Compact, in cooperation with the Rio+20 Secretariat, the UN System and the Global Compact Local Network Brazil, the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum (15-18 June 2012) seeks to bring greater scale and quality to corporate sustainability practices, as a critical contribution to sustainable development. As a showcase for innovation and collaboration, the Forum is designed to be a launching ground for widespread action. With more than 2,000 participants from nearly 100 countries, the Forum features over 120 sessions focused on six themes central to the Rio+20 agenda: Energy & Climate, Water & Ecosystems, Agriculture & Food, Social Development, Urbanization & Cities, and Economics & Finance. www.compact4rio.org
About the UN Global Compact
Launched in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is a both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. As a multi-stakeholder leadership initiative, it seeks to align business operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals. With 7,000 corporate signatories in 135 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative. www.unglobalcompact.org
About the Pacific Institute
The Pacific Institute is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and policy organizations working to create a healthier planet and sustainable communities. Based in Oakland, California, they conduct interdisciplinary research and partner with stakeholders to produce solutions that advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity – in California, nationally, and internationally. The Pacific Institute works to change policy and find real-world solutions to problems like water shortages, habitat destruction, global warming, and environmental injustice. Since their founding in 1987, the Pacific Institute has become a locus for independent, innovative thinking that cuts across traditional areas of study, helping us make connections and bring opposing groups together. The result is effective, actionable solutions addressing issues in the fields of freshwater resources, climate change, environmental justice, and globalization. www.pacinst.org.
Contact
Melissa Powell
Head, Strategy and Partnerships
Business and Peace
UN Global Compact
powell1@un.org
Kristina Donnelly
Pacific Institute
kdonnelly@pacinst.org