AkzoNobel endorses UN’s CEO Water Mandate

AkzoNobel’s commitment to the sustainable use of natural resources has been reinforced by the company’s endorsement of the CEO Water Mandate.

Launched by the United Nations Global Compact in July 2007, the CEO Water Mandate is a unique public-private initiative designed to assist companies in the development, implementation and disclosure of sustainable fresh water policies and practices.

By signing the mandate, AkzoNobel has reinforced its drive to embed conservation of scarce resources and operational efficiency into the company’s strategy, culture and daily operations.

“Fresh water is one of the world’s most vital resources and its sustainable use will become an increasingly important part of our license to operate as we look to continue growing our business,” said AkzoNobel CEO Hans Wijers. “By endorsing the CEO Water Mandate, we recognize that management of this increasingly scarce resource is a priority. We will therefore work together with private and public sector partners to take a leading role in fresh water conservation in those areas where we operate.”

Six key areas are covered by the mandate’s strategic framework: direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, collective action, public policy, community engagement and transparency.

Endorsement of the mandate involves the annual submission of a Communication on Progress (COP) describing the company’s efforts to support the framework.
AkzoNobel has been one of the leaders on the influential Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last five years, reflecting the fact that sustainable operations is one of the cornerstones of the company’s global strategy.