Volume of water use of primary inputs, including in catchement(s) of origin

Unit :Cubic meters (m³)

Indicator :Water consumption and withdrawal

Metric Type :Pressure

Frameworks alignment notes

AWS 1.4.1 Mandatory AWS 1.4.3 Voluntary AWS 1.4.1 The embedded water use of primary inputs, including quantity, quality and level of water risk within the site’s catchment, shall be identified AWS 1.4.3 The embedded water use of primary inputs in catchment(s) of origin shall be quantified.
CDP Water Security Voluntary W 1.2b What are the total volumes of water withdrawn, discharged, and consumed across all your operations, how do they compare to the previous reporting year, and how are they forecasted to change. W1.2h Provide total water withdrawal data by source
Mandatory quantities of water used (including water withdrawal and release) types of water resources used (including for water withdrawal and water receiving body)

Target example

[Company name] will reduce their overall levels of water use within primary inputs by [target percentage]% by [target year], compared to a baseline of [baseline percentage]% in [baseline year].

Target Source: WBCSD target template

Metric assessment

Relevance: High

Feasibility: Medium

Related Actions

Reduce water use and wastage, particularly in water-stressed areas

Reduce water use and wastage, particularly in water-stressed areas

Description

Additional Metric Notes

ACT-D stage: Assess Maturity stage: Developing Metric Contribution to Action: Measuring water volumes embedded in primary inputs contributes to site-level water balance, improves understanding of supply chain risks, and supports the prioritization of sustainable sourcing from lower-risk or more water-efficient origins. Observations/Sucesses/Challenges: > Many companies lack direct visibility into the catchments where their suppliers operate. > Inputs may come from numerous locations, making it difficult to track water use at all levels. > Water stress varies by season and geography > Key supply chain actors often have water use estimates, and prioritization by materiality improves feasibility.