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Business in Deep at World Water Week
 Geneva, 6 August 2008 - “Business is part of the solution, and its potential is driven by its engagement”, says Björn Stigson President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
The 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm will see many of WBCSD member companies engage with stakeholders and contribute to the discussions – which will have a special focus this year on achieving the Millennium Development Goal Target on sanitation.
Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the aim of the World Water Week is to serve, as the main arena for an exchange of views and experiences between members of the scientific, business, policy and civil society communities in order to advance efforts related to water, the environment, livelihoods and poverty reduction.
The WBCSD is one of the collaborating organizations and has been involved in this event over the years. This coming August, WBCSD will be co-convening three sessions each focusing on the role of business in sanitation, including wastewater management.
“Unlike HIV/AIDS we do not need to undertake further research to find a cure. We have the skills, know-how and capacity to solve the sanitation problem now. It requires leadership and commitment by the world community to give this issue appropriate priority. The business community has the opportunity to help build commitment and turn it into action,” says GHD Director Nick Apostolidis and leader of WBCSD Water Project Workstream on Sanitation.
The WBCSD will also organize a follow-up briefing to widely share the outcomes of an initial stakeholder workshop it convened in London ( 301 kb) last June on sustainable water management and water stewardship.
- Workshop 2 Water Afteruse – Protecting Health and Ecosystems, Tuesday 19 August, full day
Poor sanitation, pollution and abuse of water in upstream areas have harmful implications for downstream users and ecosystems. While this causes deep concern for many societies, users often turn a blind eye to the afteruse portion of the water cycle. The workshop will examine what kind of strategies are needed for water source protection, river restoration and pollution abatement.
- Seminar Partnering with Business to Find Sanitation Solutions Wednesday 20 August, 09:00 – 12:00
Is sanitation really an essential component of a sustainable business environment? And if so, why? This session will explore the business case for sanitation, including wastewater management. It will challenge companies to reflect on how populations lacking basic sanitation overlap with their markets, operations and supply chains. How can business contribute in overcoming the enormous gap in access to improved sanitation solutions? Can sanitation itself be seen as a new business opportunity? How do company wastewater strategies contribute to sanitation solutions?
- Invitation to participate in this seminar ( 148 kb)
- Founders Business Seminar “Business Case for Use of Waste”, Wednesday 20 August, afternoon session
2008 has been declared the International Year of Sanitation by the UN General Assembly. In respect of the theme, this seminar will explore the economic benefits – the business case – for wastewater from both industrial and municipal sources.
- Stakeholder Workshop “Sustainable Water Management for All”
Wednesday 20 August, 17:30 – 19:00
Water is rapidly rising up the list of sustainable development imperatives. A variety of different concepts and approaches are emerging in order to manage our vital and fragile water resources with demonstrable care. In June 2008, representatives from businesses, NGOs, universities, multi-sector-alliances and the governments met in London to investigate the possibility of beginning a broader process of collaboration to create common understanding around sustainable water management and water stewardship. Building on the momentum created in London, the group is reconvening during the Stockholm World Water Week; all Stockholm participants are invited to join the discussion. Please register with Carolyn Ching: ching@wbcsd.org.
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WBCSD |
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6 Aug 2008 |
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WBCSD news
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Water
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WBCSD
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