Go with the flow: Action in river basins ranked as most effective water stewardship

It’s not enough for companies to focus on their own water operations and efficiencies. To really strengthen water stewardship and sustainability, they must invest in cross-sector action in priority river basins and value chains.

In a global survey of more than 350 water stakeholders, Trellis data partner GlobeScan, in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund, found that collective action in river basins is the most effective and impactful way for companies to achieve meaningful water stewardship outcomes. Respondents said river basin efforts were more impactful than reducing water usage in their own operations and collaborating with peers to improve water stewardship at the sector level.

What this means

The GlobeScan and WWF research uncovers a key gap between what companies currently prioritize in water stewardship and what experts consider most effective. While many businesses focus on their own operations and water efficiency, the most significant water impacts and risks for many industries lie in their value chains and the broader river basins on which they depend. Experts emphasize that companies need to shift their focus to basin- and catchment-level water issues to truly address environmental challenges, mitigate business risks, and build more resilient supply chains.

Looking ahead, that means collaborative action efforts in river basins must include all sectors and stakeholders, with increased public-private cooperation to scale impact. Local actors such as municipal and community leaders play a crucial role in building trust, identifying challenges, designing programs and implementing long-term solutions.

Based on a global survey of over 350 expert stakeholders in 63 countries, a public opinion survey of 30,000 people across 31 countries and territories, 29 in-depth interviews with experts across sectors, and research on NGO campaigning on water issues by SIGWATCH.