Will Sarni

As part of the Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution for the Earth series, this paper explores the opportunity for advanced technology to help address global water and sanitation challenges.

I believe we are at an inflection point regarding how the public and private sectors view water as a resource. This is not to say that there is a groundswell of private sector commitment to invest in mitigating water risks, or that the public sector has completely addressed policy and governance issues related to the long-term management of water resources. Instead, there is a noticeable shift in thinking about water as a resource. It's a move from an entirely risk mindset to one of growth and… Show more

I believe we are at an inflection point regarding how the public and private sectors view water as a resource. This is not to say that there is a groundswell of private sector commitment to invest in mitigating water risks, or that the public sector has completely addressed policy and governance issues related to the long-term management of water resources. Instead, there is a noticeable shift in thinking about water as a resource. It's a move from an entirely risk mindset to one of growth and innovation. Show less

The United States’ water infrastructure needs an overhaul, and the cost of doing so is climbing rapidly. Where will the money come from?

The postwar transformation of agriculture saved over a billion people from starvation—with serious unintended environmental costs. Now, a second revolution, built largely on technologies that comprise the Internet of Things, promises to make the farm of the future more productive and efficient.

Shortfalls of water, energy, and food can sabotage economic and business growth as well as compromise social well-being. Fortunately, there are signs that the public sector, private sector, and NGOs are beginning to work together to take us off the scarcity trajectory.

Shortfalls of water, energy, and food can sabotage economic and business growth as well as compromise social well-being. Host Tanya Ott talks to Will Sarni, director of Deloitte Consulting LLP's Enterprise Water Strategy practice, about signs that the public sector, private sector, and NGOs are beginning to work together to take us off the scarcity trajectory.

This paper aims to challenge corporate theories such as creating shared value (CSV) as to how they account for company water use given that water risk is ultimately not an efficiency challenge. In exploring CSV and the management of shared resources, there are limitations to the value of CSV (as currently framed) as a response strategy to water risks. For almost all businesses, water challenges involve complex social and environmental considerations “beyond efficiency”. Water stewardship is… Show more

This paper aims to challenge corporate theories such as creating shared value (CSV) as to how they account for company water use given that water risk is ultimately not an efficiency challenge. In exploring CSV and the management of shared resources, there are limitations to the value of CSV (as currently framed) as a response strategy to water risks. For almost all businesses, water challenges involve complex social and environmental considerations “beyond efficiency”. Water stewardship is also an evolving framework, yet at its core implies an awareness and willingness to seek collaboration on business water-related risk across the value chain and to go beyond efficiency. Show less

Providing food, clean water and energy for a growing population is one of the greatest challenges facing public and private sector professionals. While there is widespread recognition of the complex feedback loops between energy, water and food, there has been less focus on viable solutions.

This guide by Will Sarni – an internationally recognized thought leader on corporate water stewardship and water tech innovation – frames the key issues and challenges for business professionals… Show more

Providing food, clean water and energy for a growing population is one of the greatest challenges facing public and private sector professionals. While there is widespread recognition of the complex feedback loops between energy, water and food, there has been less focus on viable solutions.

This guide by Will Sarni – an internationally recognized thought leader on corporate water stewardship and water tech innovation – frames the key issues and challenges for business professionals, and then outlines emerging solutions which include both "soft path" and technology innovation approaches.

The book includes case examples of multinational companies who are abandoning business as usual and moving beyond traditional thinking. It also highlights crucial new partnerships or 'collective action initiatives' where NGOs, multinationals and the public sector come together to forge practical solutions to meet the needs of their stakeholders.

Solutions to the energy–water–food nexus will need to be disruptive, not incremental, and will require technology innovation, new public-private partnerships, and changes in public policy.

Beyond the Energy–Food–Water Nexus shows organizations how they can play their part in improving the quality of life for an urbanized global population while preserving the ecosystems that sustain us all. Show less

Leadership by multinational companies in addressing social problems aligns with a trend for companies to internalize these issues. In the case of water, collective action can parlay awareness of this shared dependence and vulnerability into coordinated efforts with a greater impact than any single party acting alone.

For CFOs, now may be the time to take stock of their energy portfolio, rebalancing and derisking it for the future. In this issue of Deloitte LLP’s CFO Insights, we make some key observations related to the energy and water markets and discuss why CFOs should take advantage of an energy future that has been largely reshaped over the last few years

Water as a resource to "fuel" business growth.

A recap of the 2014 CDP Global Water Report and what companies need to consider.

In a world where population projections are as high as nine billion within this century, there will be an even greater demand for water driven by significantly increased needs for energy and food. Growing competition for water and prolonged droughts impacting several regions of the world have led to scrutiny of water withdrawal in almost every industry sector. In response, the oil and gas industry is examining its water use and evaluating water conservation and reuse strategies.

There are no shortages of stories on the environmental, social and economic negative impacts of water scarcity and the drought in the U.S. in general and in California in particular. Stories about innovative solutions to address water scarcity and water quality, and the opportunity to ramp up investments in said solutions in the U.S. and globally? Not so much.

Singapore, Australia and Israel often are heralded as the global water-innovation hotspots. In these countries, water scarcity… Show more

There are no shortages of stories on the environmental, social and economic negative impacts of water scarcity and the drought in the U.S. in general and in California in particular. Stories about innovative solutions to address water scarcity and water quality, and the opportunity to ramp up investments in said solutions in the U.S. and globally? Not so much.

Singapore, Australia and Israel often are heralded as the global water-innovation hotspots. In these countries, water scarcity and security concerns have spurred innovative policies and investments in creating water-innovation hubs.
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For a company that needs water for manufacturing, in its supply chain, or even for product use, a lack of access to water may jeopardize its growth. The risks point to a need to align water stewardship and business growth strategies, and to go beyond an efficiency focus

When identifying the top 50 Best Global Green Brands each year, Interbrand starts with the 100 brands that make up its annual Best Global Brands report. Brands that appear on this annual ranking have a global presence and a demonstrated record of delivering value to their stakeholders. Interbrand then conducts extensive consumer research to capture public perception of the brands’ sustainable or green practices and compares that to environmental or sustainability performance data collected and… Show more

When identifying the top 50 Best Global Green Brands each year, Interbrand starts with the 100 brands that make up its annual Best Global Brands report. Brands that appear on this annual ranking have a global presence and a demonstrated record of delivering value to their stakeholders. Interbrand then conducts extensive consumer research to capture public perception of the brands’ sustainable or green practices and compares that to environmental or sustainability performance data collected and analyzed by Deloitte Consulting LLP. Show less

A business perspective on the disconnect between the price and the value of water. Achieving the desired outcomes for 21st century water stewardship and business growth will require more than enabling the status quo.

Corporate Water Strategies published in Chinese.

Video highlighting the business value at risk from water scarcity.

This book unveils how the world in the twenty-first century will need to manage our most fundamental resource need, water. It outlines how stakeholders can improve water use in their homes, their businesses, and the world.

In particular, it focuses on the role of stakeholders in crafting a twenty-first century paradigm for water. Investors not only drive innovation through direct investment in new technologies but also by highlighting risk and driving reporting and disclosure within the… Show more

This book unveils how the world in the twenty-first century will need to manage our most fundamental resource need, water. It outlines how stakeholders can improve water use in their homes, their businesses, and the world.

In particular, it focuses on the role of stakeholders in crafting a twenty-first century paradigm for water. Investors not only drive innovation through direct investment in new technologies but also by highlighting risk and driving reporting and disclosure within the business community.

Water Tech highlights the business drivers to address water related issues. These include business disruption, regulatory risk and reputational risk along with opportunities in the commercialization of innovative technologies such as desalination and water reuse and treatment. The authors argue that through increased attention on water scarcity through activities such as reporting and disclosure we are now accelerating innovation in the water industry. They show how we are just now capturing the true cost and value of water and this is creating opportunities for investors in the water sector. The text takes the reader through key aspects of emerging innovative technologies along with case studies and key issues on the path to commercialization. A roadmap of the opportunities in the water sector is presented based on interviews with leading authorities in the water field including innovators, investors, legal, regulatory experts and businesses. Show less

Stephanie Campbell (Australia), Geneva Claesson (Canada),
Matthew Lombardi (United States), Matt Malten (United States),
Susan McGeachie (Canada), Josh Rosenfield (United States),
Will Sarni (United States), and Rodolpho Simas (Brazil)

This book is a call to action for companies to address water risks through the development of water stewardship strategies and innovation in technologies and partnerships.
In the past businesses have viewed water as a minimal operational cost and not a strategic issue. However, water has now emerged as a critical issue for both corporations and the public sector in response to increased water demand, climatic risks and potentially negative impacts on brand value.

This innovative book… Show more

This book is a call to action for companies to address water risks through the development of water stewardship strategies and innovation in technologies and partnerships.
In the past businesses have viewed water as a minimal operational cost and not a strategic issue. However, water has now emerged as a critical issue for both corporations and the public sector in response to increased water demand, climatic risks and potentially negative impacts on brand value.

This innovative book provides up-to-date information on global water issues and describes how companies can not only address these challenges but also implement high value global water strategies. It shows:

why water is a critical business issue for companies which now face water risk to their operations and brands
how new concepts such as embedded water and virtual water are forcing companies to think differently about how they use water to manufacture products
that companies need to develop a corporate water strategy to manage it as a key business issue and capture the real value of water
how companies can develop partnerships with non-governmental organizations to implement water strategies. Show less