[UN] 기후변화 협약 : 물위험이 사업에 심각한 영향 끼쳐

가뭄, 홍수, 규제 강화, 물 부족, 기후 변화로 인한 스트레스로 인해 회사는 140억 달러의 비용이 든다. 수자원의 영향과 관리에 대해 투자자에게 정보를 제공하는 회사들이 작년 26억 달러 규모의 5배가 넘는 것으로 보고됐다.

새로운 보고서에 따르면 갈망하는 사업은, 글로벌 비영리 단체 환경적 수행 CDP에서, 기후 대책에 물이 중요한 이유는 무엇인가 하는 부분이다.

2030년까지 UN은 물에 대한 전 세계 수요가 공급 가능 한도를 40% 정도 초과할 것으로 전망하고 있다.

CDP가 분석한 연도별 동향 분석에 따르면, 기업들은 이러한 미래에 적절하게 대비하지 못한 것으로 보인다. 보고서는 물사용 추적 및 위험 분석 수행과 같은 핵심 분야에서의 정체된 진행 상황을 강조하고 있다.

CDP의 CEO인 폴 심슨(Paul Simpson)은 “올해의 연구 결과는 민간 부분에 대해 두 가지 분명한 교훈을 제공한다. 첫째, 수자원 위험은 사업에서 수익에 심각한 위협이 된다. 둘째, 결정적으로 물은 저탄소 경제로의 이행에서 근본적인 세계 필수품이 될 것이다. 깨끗하고 지속가능한 물 한 방울은 국가와 기업이 계획한 배출 감소 활동에 필수적이다. 이것은 물을 더 진지하게 받아들이는 회사에 대한 깨우침이다”라고 밝혔다.

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UN CLIMATE CONFERENCE: WATER RISKS IMPACTING BUSINESS, THREATEN EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLANS

Drought, flooding, tightening regulation and water scarcity and stress fuelled by climate change have cost companies US $14 billion. This is over five times the US $2.6 Billion reported last year by companies providing information to investors on their management of and impacts on water resources.

These are the findings of a new report, Thirsty business: Why water is vital to climate action, from CDP, the global non-profit tracking corporate environmental performance.

The increase was largely driven by Japanese power giant TEPCO, who disclosed that nearly US $10 billion was spent in the past financial year addressing groundwater pollution from the Daiichi nuclear power plant following the 2011 tsunami. Many companies disclosed drought-related impacts: General Motors disclosed spending US $8 million due to increased water rates and hydro-electric costs linked to drought conditions. Aerospace and defense firm United Technologies Corporation invested US $1.7 million in water-saving infrastructure across its six Southern California sites, where it expects water constraints will be “a permanent condition." Diageo disclosed US $2.4 million in conservation measures at one plant, where it saw the average cost of liquid production more than double because of Brazil's drought.

By 2030, the UN estimates global demand for water will exceed available supply by 40%.

Year-on-year trends analysis by CDP shows that companies are not adequately preparing for this future. The report highlights stagnant progress in key areas such as tracking water use and undertaking risk analysis.

CDP's study is based on data provided by 607 companies this year in response to its request for information made on behalf of 643 institutional investors with US $67 trillion in assets.

Launched in Marrakesh during the UN climate talks -- the first to take place since the entry into force of the Paris Agreement -- CDP's report findings also reveal:

1 in 4 emissions reduction activities need water: 24% of the carbon reduction activities planned by business, which include switching to nuclear or developing carbon capture technology, are highly water-dependent. However, the majority of companies (54%) disclose that efforts to conserve water have led to GHG reductions.

More water risks to come: Companies expect over half of 4,000+ water risks they have identified to materialize within the next six years.

The energy sector is a major laggard and the least transparent about water risks: 77 of 109 energy companies asked to provide information to investors about their water risk management efforts failed to do so. They include Exxon, Chevron and Shell. Despite the sector's dependency on water, 91% of respondents do not conduct a company-wide water risk assessment covering both direct and supplier operations.

24 companies have been recognized as pursuing best practice in water conversation and management: They include Ford Motor Company and Colgate Palmolive Company, who have been recognized for their actions by achieving a place on CDP's Water A List leadership index. Ford have set a new goal to cut water use per vehicle by 72% in the next four years, compared with 2000.

CDP's CEO Paul Simpson says: “This year's findings offer two clear lessons for the private sector. Firstly, that water risks can rip the rug from right under business, posing a serious threat to bottom lines. Secondly, and crucially, that water will be a fundamental global commodity in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Every drop of clean, sustainable water will be essential for the emissions reduction activities countries and companies have planned. This is a wake-up call to companies everywhere to take water more seriously.”

Morgan Gillespy, the report lead author and CDP's head of water, says: “For a long time companies have taken water for granted as a free and plentiful resource. But these assumptions are unraveling as the impacts of climate change gather pace. From the US$100 billion worth of energy infrastructure at risk from rising sea levels in Louisiana to Chinese industry facing tightening restrictions on water use, investors are right to worry about the impacts of water risks on their assets.”

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 11월 15일]