As of 2017, more companies than ever before were setting water targets, yet global water stress continued to rise. How can companies ensure that their water targets align with meaningful outcomes? This report calls for a new approach for setting meaningful corporate water targets that take into account the unique local contexts of the basins in which companies operate.

Context-based metrics and targets recognize the particular challenges present in each basin, allowing for physical and social thresholds and tracking water use relative to basin thresholds and availability. The report makes the case that in order to be effective, context-based water metrics and targets should make the best use of available science, include input from local stakeholders, be informed by contextual social needs, and align with local and global public policy objectives.