With the world observing unprecedented challenges and the influence of climate change, the water and wastewater treatment industry size could be pronounced on the back of bullish investment in a sustainable future. Developments of environmental, social and governance practices will help stockholders map impacts to their value chain, enable performance reporting and tracking and exhibit a corporate commitment to sustainable growth. Industry leaders are expected to shift their attention to the impact of water shortages, soaring prices, and surging regulations in their decision-making. Stakeholders are emphasizing 4R—reduce, reuse, recycle and reclaim—to streamline wastewater treatment and propel ESG compliance. Investors and consumers are poised to focus on the ESG profile and minimize operational risks amidst concerns about pollution, energy consumption, climate change, and the rising usage of chemicals. The World Resources Institute forecasts a 56% deficit of freshwater by 2030, compelling businesses to propel the management of water and wastewater treatment. The prevalence of water pollution and its impact on global health has furthered the need for setting and achieving ESG goals. Sustainable wastewater management has gained ground amidst an uptake in wastewater generation. For instance, in 2021, Merck Group produced around 13.3 million cubic meters of wastewater, while discharging approximately 9.5 million cubic meters of freshwater in surface waters. The company aims to minimize possibly harmful residues in wastewater by 2030. The surge in municipal wastewater and the prevalence of sewage have prompted stakeholders to emphasize environmental, social, and governance pillars to keep up with the global trend. Read more form the Water and Wastewater Treatment Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2022, published by Astra ESG Solutions
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