Corporate Water Accounting: An Analysis of Methods and Tools for Measuring Water Use and Its Impact

Concerns around growing water scarcity, degraded ecosystem function, and the implications of climate change have led to the emergence of water as a strategic concern for companies around the world. Corporate water accounting allows consumers, civil society groups, and the investment community to compare different companies’ social and environmental impacts in order to inform their actions and decision making. Effective business water accounting methods are critical for sustainable water management.

This report examines the main water accounting tools being used by the private sector and suggests where accounting methods might benefit from harmonization and increased field testing.