2030 Water Resources Group: Charting our Water Future

What is it?

A new holistic approach to increasing water availability in India, China, South Africa and Brazil which assesses the cost and scope of all the available techniques of conservation, efficiency improvement and production.

Who is responsible?

Management consultants McKinsey & Co. prepared the report on behalf of the International Finance Corporation (a division of the World Bank). The 2030 Water Resources Group also includes the Barilla Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé S.A., New Holland Agriculture, SABMiller plc, Standard Chartered Bank, and Syngenta AG.

What makes it special?

• This is the first time anyone has analysed every possible alternative for reducing demand or increasing supply for agriculture, industry and domestic use, and put a volume and a price on each one. The result is remarkably empowering for policy-makers looking for the lowest-cost solution to water scarcity.

• On the face of it, the report is a roadmap to the lowest-cost water resources, but the underlying theme is to push governments towards implementing a revolution in water resources management that could bring about a step change in water efficiency around the world.

• High-profile support from the World Bank and leading private companies has ensured that the report’s recommendations are being taken seriously at the highest level by governments around the world.