This metric is part of the World Benchmarking Alliance's (WBA) suite of benchmarks, which measure and rank the world's most influential companies on their contributions to a sustainable and equitable future. More information on WBA's methodology can be found
here.
Water pollution is a rising global crisis that directly affects health, economic development
and food security (FAO, 2021b). Agriculture is a leading source of water pollution due to fertiliser and
pesticide runoff (FAO, 2023a). Given their significant role in contributing to this crisis, companies have
a responsibility to implement more effective and transparent wastewater treatment and pollution
control measures.
Research Guidance:
The company must either report progress against targets or show absolute, year-on-year reductions for three consecutive years for all pollutants disclosed in element (a). Any increases in any pollutants would be Unmet.
Progress against a target is only accepted if the target is timebound and measurable as specified in the requirements in element (b).