Concentrations of key pollutants in wastewater, by type of pollutant
Unit
Indicator
Metric type
Framework alignment notes
GBF Target 7
UN - FCCC: This metric is partially aligned with the requirements of the framework.
TNFD C2.1
SBTN: This metric is aligned with the requirements of the framework.
CDP - This metric is partially aligned with the requirements of the framework.
Regen Ag outcome: Minimize water pollution
Target example
[Company name] will reduce the concentration of [pollutant type] in wastewater by [target amount, kg or percentage] by [target year], compared to a [baseline year] baseline.
Target source: WBCSD target template
Sector
Value chain stage
Raw Materials
Manufacturing
Distribution
Metric assessment
Relevance:
High
Feasibility:
High
Additional Metric Notes
Rationale
- Understanding the pollutant content of wastewater discharged is important, as these pollutants can exert significant pressure on freshwater and saltwater systems.
- TNFD sector guidance: For non-point sources, use the water pollutant loading rate, including locally developed model results for pollutants from non-point sources, based on average nutrient loads over the past five years of operations. Where feasible, nutrient loss at the edge of the field or loading of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) can be more accurate measures of environmental pressure compared to nutrient use efficiency (NUE). However, methods for measurement and attribution are not widely standardized, with ongoing developments.
Additional/complementary metrics
Breakdown by: nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus); Pesticides; Organic loading (including crop and livestock excreta); Pathogens; Metals; and Other and emerging pollutants (including antimicrobials and other veterinary medicines).