Some NGOs and academics argue that business water management strategies can subvert the public interest in favor of corporate profit. For example, corporations may “capture” regulatory agencies by gaining undue influence over policy-makers or decisions, or they may use “greenwashing” to market a product as sustainable, regardless of its true impacts. This discussion paper from the CEO Water Mandate and the World Wildlife Fund makes the case that transparent private sector engagement in water policy, if aligned with global sustainable development goals, can advance the public interest. When businesses share a set of water-related challenges with the rest of society, initiatives that address common challenges can benefit multiple stakeholders.

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