FAB-B.05.C - Water Use Reduction Progress
Does the company report progress on reducing its water use?
About the data
The WBA Food and Agriculture Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential food and agriculture companies on their efforts to transform global food systems, tracking how companies work towards food that is healthy and nutritious, produced sustainably within planetary boundaries, and accessible and fairly produced for all. The 2026 edition assessed 350 companies spanning the entirety of the food and agriculture value chain, from agricultural inputs and commodities through to manufacturing, retail, and food service. Companies were scored on 23 food and agriculture-specific indicators and 18 core social indicators across four measurement areas: governance, sustainable food systems, healthy food systems, and inclusive food systems. The benchmark is developed in close collaboration with an Expert Review Committee and is designed to incentivise the most influential companies in the sector to adopt sustainable business practices across their own operations and supply chains, addressing critical issues including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, freshwater use, nutrition, and living incomes for farmers, with human rights and social equity at its core. More information can be found here.
Methodology
According to the United Nations, nearly two-thirds of the global population experiences
severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, and over two billion people live in countries with
inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and by
2040, one in four children may live in areas with extreme water stress. Food systems account for
approximately 70% of freshwater withdrawals globally (FAO, 2021b, Willet et al., 2019). This
underscores the significant role companies play in water consumption and the need for sustainable
and transparent water management practices.
Research Guidance:
The company must report on both withdrawal and consumption for its entire operations. It must report year-on-year, absolute reductions for three consecutive years on one of the two. If the company reports data on withdrawal and consumption, but is only improving in one, the element is only Met if it is not worsening in the other.
severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, and over two billion people live in countries with
inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and by
2040, one in four children may live in areas with extreme water stress. Food systems account for
approximately 70% of freshwater withdrawals globally (FAO, 2021b, Willet et al., 2019). This
underscores the significant role companies play in water consumption and the need for sustainable
and transparent water management practices.
Research Guidance:
The company must report on both withdrawal and consumption for its entire operations. It must report year-on-year, absolute reductions for three consecutive years on one of the two. If the company reports data on withdrawal and consumption, but is only improving in one, the element is only Met if it is not worsening in the other.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report