URB-C.04.C - Water Use Reduction Progress
Does the company report progress on reducing 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 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.
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 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