If no one leads on water, the world will run dry. Under current conditions, the World Resources Institute projects that our planet faces a 56% water deficit by 2030¹. The lasting effects of water stress impact the communities where we work and thrive, compelling businesses, governments and individuals alike to take urgent action. As a global leader in water, Ecolab releases the Ecolab Watermark Study every year to learn where and how to protect this finite resource. By understanding the views and needs of the general population, Ecolab builds the business case for positive change towards a water-secure future.

Access to clean and safe water remains a significant climate concern for consumers around the world. Governments and businesses continue to be seen as primarily responsible for water conservation, but consumers in some regions do not believe these leaders care enough about water or climate changes. The agricultural, food and beverage, and manufacturing industries are perceived as the most responsible for water use and conservation. Meanwhile, consumers continue to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through their purchasing habits.

Percentage of consumers that list clean and safe water as a significant environmental concern.²

1. WRI Achieving Abundance working paper 2020: files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/achieving-abundance↵
2. Based on top-two box scoring of “Very concerned/Somewhat concerned”↵
3. Based on top-two box scoring of “Strongly agree/Somewhat agree”↵
4. Based on top three options selected↵
5. Based on top-two box scoring of “Very concerned/Somewhat concerned”↵

*China research does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.