In 2007, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) was created as a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 principles related to human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. The United Nations Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate was formed as a UNGC-based public-private initiative designed to assist companies in the development, implementation, and disclosure of water sustainability policies and practices. In 2015, the CEO Water Mandate released the beta version of this guide to help companies integrate their responsibility to respect the human rights to water and sanitation into their existing water management policies, practices, and company cultures.

The Pacific Institute is co-secretariat of the CEO Water Mandate, which mobilizes business leaders to advance water stewardship, sanitation, and the Sustainable Development Goals.