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Launched in July 2007, the CEO Water Mandate is a unique public-private initiative designed to assist companies in the development, implementation and disclosure of water sustainability policies and practices.
It is increasingly clear that lack of access to clean water and sanitation in many parts of the world causes great suffering in humanitarian, social, environmental and economic terms, and seriously undermines development goals. Related, there is a growing consensus that this emerging crisis presents the private sector with a range of risks – and, in some instances, opportunities. It is also recognized that current water-management practices are inadequate given the increasing materiality and importance of water as a resource.
The CEO Water Mandate recognizes that the business sector, through the production of goods and services, impacts water resources – both directly and through supply chains. Endorsing CEOs acknowledge that in order to operate in a more sustainable manner, and contribute to the vision of the UN Global Compact and the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, they have a responsibility to make water-resources management a priority, and to work with governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to address this global water challenge. The CEO Water Mandate covers six areas: Direct Operations; Supply Chain and Watershed Management; Collective Action; Public Policy; Community Engagement; and Transparency.
Endorsers of the CEO Water Mandate recognize that through individual and collective action they can contribute to the vision of the UN Global Compact and the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.
Governance and key operational aspects of the CEO Water Mandate initiative are described in the Constitution of the CEO Water Mandate.
The CEO Water Mandate seeks to build an international movement of committed companies, both leaders and learners. In this spirit, the initiative is open to companies of all sizes and from all sectors, and from all parts of the world. The initiative requires the endorsement of a company’s Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent.
Participation in the CEO Water Mandate is restricted to existing corporate endorsers of the UN Global Compact. However, companies that are not currently signatories of the UN Global Compact may endorse the CEO Water Mandate provided they intend to join the UNGC within six months of endorsing the CEO Water Mandate. Endorsing companies are required to report annually on their implementation progress, per the Transparency Policy.
A company wishing to join the CEO Water Mandate should indicate their endorsement by submitting a letter, signed by the Chief Executive Officer, to: ceowatermandate@unglobalcompact.org
In order to assist companies in the development of comprehensive water sustainability strategies, the CEO Water Mandate convenes two working conferences per year, designed to focus on key water-related issues and specific aspects of the CEO Water Mandate. These conferences bring corporate water experts and practitioners together with a range of key stakeholders and partners, including civil society organizations, specialized water institutes, UN agencies, public authorities, and other interests.
In addition, the CEO Water Mandate initiative seeks to provide partnership opportunities for endorsers with key organizations and interests – including relevant UN agencies and programmes.
The CEO Water Mandate also develops and disseminates research and intelligence, in the form of studies, surveys and mapping papers, in addition to developing guidance resources such as the Transparency Framework, Phase One and Phase Two.
Finally, the CEO Water Mandate offers endorsing companies the opportunity to join United Nations events and key inter-governmental and other public policy discussions and deliberations on the topic of water sustainability.
Endorsing companies of the CEO Water Mandate are required to develop annual reports -- known as "Communications on Progress-Water" -- in which they are expected to describe how they are implementing the six core elements of the Mandate. This reporting requirement is fully described in the Transparency Policy.
The Communications on Progress-Water serve two important functions. First, they serve as an accountability mechanism for the initiative; and second, they provide a repository of best and emerging practices for learning purposes.
Gavin Power
Deputy Director
United Nations Global Compact
powerg@un.org
