URB-C.04.B - Water Use Reduction Target
Does the company set a target to reduce its water use?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
In the last five years, one-fifth of the world’s river basins have experienced significant
changes in surface water availability (UN Water, 2021). Increasing exploitation of water resources is
likely to lead to ecosystem degradation and a reduced capacity to renew and purify water resources.
Companies operating in urban environments may withdraw and use large volumes of water for their
operations. For example, construction companies may use water in concrete production or dust
suppression, and power plants may withdraw water for cooling purposes. Urban companies should
reduce their water withdrawal to safeguard local ecosystems and mitigate the risk of water scarcity.
Research Guidance
The company must set a target on its water withdrawal OR water consumption that covers at least its own operations (including aggregated targets, e.g. reducing total net water consumption). If the target covers only a subset of the company's operations or value chain (e.g. a specific water basin; specific water-stressed areas), it should be methodologically justified.
For a list of methodologies the companies could use, refer to element (d).
Targets must be timebound, with a defined baseline value and year, and include clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics. They should focus on short-term progress up to 2030, with any longer-term goals broken down into interim targets no more than five years apart. Intensity targets are not accepted, as they do not ensure absolute improvements. Year-on-year targets and qualitative targets may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on their ambition and measurability. Any changes to targets or their underlying assumptions must be explained, particularly in terms of impact on comparability. Additionally, targets aimed solely at maintaining current performance are not accepted.
changes in surface water availability (UN Water, 2021). Increasing exploitation of water resources is
likely to lead to ecosystem degradation and a reduced capacity to renew and purify water resources.
Companies operating in urban environments may withdraw and use large volumes of water for their
operations. For example, construction companies may use water in concrete production or dust
suppression, and power plants may withdraw water for cooling purposes. Urban companies should
reduce their water withdrawal to safeguard local ecosystems and mitigate the risk of water scarcity.
Research Guidance
The company must set a target on its water withdrawal OR water consumption that covers at least its own operations (including aggregated targets, e.g. reducing total net water consumption). If the target covers only a subset of the company's operations or value chain (e.g. a specific water basin; specific water-stressed areas), it should be methodologically justified.
For a list of methodologies the companies could use, refer to element (d).
Targets must be timebound, with a defined baseline value and year, and include clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics. They should focus on short-term progress up to 2030, with any longer-term goals broken down into interim targets no more than five years apart. Intensity targets are not accepted, as they do not ensure absolute improvements. Year-on-year targets and qualitative targets may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on their ambition and measurability. Any changes to targets or their underlying assumptions must be explained, particularly in terms of impact on comparability. Additionally, targets aimed solely at maintaining current performance are not accepted.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report