Dr Richard Harpin, helps fuel debate on water scarcity

Why do companies want to reduce their water usage; it is probably not the cost of water. No. It’s about risk: physical risk from the lack of water; reputational risk; and regulatory risk……. their supply chains are in different countries. Some of those are water scarce – that is where the risk comes. You can be making improvements in areas where it may not be having any impact at all
Richard Harpin
speaking at the debate

September 2010

Halcrow’s head of water scarcity, Richard Harpin, recently contributed to a round table debate on water efficiency and business risk management.

The event organised by Sustainable Business, was attended by key business managers from a range of large global companies including Nestle and Pepsico.

The debate is featured in current editions of Sustainable Business and Water and Wastewater Treatment.

The debate focused on the extent to which companies were aware of their water risks, what they were doing about them and how the lack of direct policy, fiscal incentives and regulation in these areas was a barrier to ‘joined-up’ action.

The debate concluded that there was a global need for companies to review and manage their water scarcity risks to protect both their security of supply and their corporate reputations.

Halcrow has recently developed a risk toolbox to help companies identify, evaluate and mitigate the risks to their business posed by water scarcity in water-stressed areas.

Related content

  • Water scarcity 

    Halcrow is committed to playing a significant part in creating a water-secure world.

Contact details

Press office