2Sustain

Are companies tuning into water conservation –what eco-experts believe could become the most critical green initiative of them all?

Yes…and no.

IBM recently asked more than 100 public and private sector executives about their companies’ water challenges, and even though about 77 percent of those surveyed felt that water management was extremely critical to their business, more than half (51 percent ) said they lacked formal guidelines for implementing it. An additional 63 percent of executives said they lacked access to integrated water management systems.

So, what can your company do to boost water conservation awareness and action?

Start with reading Sharon Nunes’ post, “Coming Up Short: What Water Conservation Means for Business,” published yesterday at Environmental Leader.

Nunes, Vice President, IBM Big Green Innovations, first outlines how current consumption and predicted future constraints on water are combining to create a resource risk scenario that businesses can no longer afford to ignore.

Then, she goes on to detail four steps you can take towards water conservation now:

• Make it a priority

• Involve the community

• Collaborate

• Set trends

Start 2010 off on the right foot. Spend a few minutes with Nunes’ article. And, then start scrutinizing your water practices. There’s no doubt about it: This is the year to start managing the risks associated with decreasing water availability.