UN Global Compact convenes business leaders at Water Day of the Race to Zero Dialogues

UN Global Compact convenes business leaders at Water Day of the Race to Zero Dialogues

Business Leaders will advocate for ambitious actions to support the Paris Agreement and the Global Goals

UNITED NATIONS, New York, 12 November 2020 — During the course of the 10 Day Race to Zero Dialogues, supported by the High-Level Champions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Global Compact has organized a session today on Building Business Water Resilience featuring business executives from South Africa, Norway, and the U.S. under the banner of its Water Resilience Coalition.

“Water scarcity, pollution, climate change, and other problematic sustainability trends pose major challenges to businesses now and for the foreseeable future,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “The Race to Zero Dialogues provide an opportunity to further bridge the climate-water siloes and for the private sector to contribute to sustainable water management best practices and form partnerships to ensure we can live in a water-resilient world.”

The United Nations Global Compact has organized this virtual panel discussion through its 13-year-old CEO Water Mandate initiative. It is presenting the virtual dialogue session as part of a full-day of water-themed events, organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute and partners during the Race to Zero Dialogues, 9-19 November 2020.

Speakers on the UN Global Compact panel include Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Ecolab of the U.S., Carine Smith Ihenacho, Chief Governance & Compliance Officer, NBIM of Norway, Feroz Koor – Group Head of Sustainability, Woolworths Holdings of South Africa, and Sanda Ojiambo.

“Water needs to be higher up on the climate agenda,” said Jason Morrison, Head of the CEO Water Mandate, which launched the Water Resilience Coalition, and President of the Pacific Institute. “It's apparent to all that water resilience is core to climate adaptation. We are also seeing substantial opportunity for water to play a role in climate mitigation as well.”

For media inquiries:

David Koch +1 646 668 1435 koch@unglobalcompact.org

and media@unglobalcompact.org

Water Day 12 November

The Water Day ath the Race to Zero Dialogues is organized by Swedish International Water Institute (SIWI), along with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), UN Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate, and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The day aims to showcase the water community’s vision of a zero-carbon, resilient future and the water-related tools and solutions needed to win the Race to Zero.

Water Resilience Coalition

The Water Resilience Coalition, an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate, has partnered with a number of leading global companies to launch the industry-driven Water Resilience Coalition. The Coalition aims to preserve the world’s freshwater resources through collective action in water-stressed basins and ambitious, quantifiable commitments. Seven companies spearheaded the Coalition, including AB InBev, Diageo, Dow Inc., Ecolab, Gap Inc., Microsoft and PVH Corp. These co-founding companies – who will serve as Coalition leaders along with Cargill and Kurita – as well as Coalition members, The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Cummins, Danone, GSK, Heineken, Levi Strauss & Co., and Woolworths – have pledged their commitment to collective action and net positive water impact, and issued a call to action for other companies to join with them. Read more about the WRC here and join the conversation via #WaterResilience

Race to Zero

The Race to Zero campaign was launched to inspire more actors to commit to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. November Dialogues are held 9-19 November with an exciting programme of activities to help countries, regions, cities, companies and organizations take the steps necessary. 

SIWI Stockholm International Water Institute is a world-leading expert on water governance, water diplomacy and cooperation over shared water resources. The not-for-profit foundation is headquartered in Stockholm but works globally as an advisor to governments, cities, and companies on policies for a more water wise world. It hosts several UN programmes and international collaborations.

UN Global Compact

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact works with companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact guides and supports the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 10,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 68 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. Visit / for further information. Join the conversation on social media using #UnitingBusiness