Ecolab highlights value of succinct sustainability metrics in galvanizing leadership on water and climate crises

Ecolab, a US-based multinational, uses the World Economic Forum's 21 core Stakeholder Metrics to align its business strategy with goals for net-positive water impact by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2050. The company emphasizes the link between water conservation and energy reduction, noting that water-saving technologies cut greenhouse gas emissions. Ecolab is currently preparing for mandatory reporting requirements from the US SEC and the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), using the Forum's metrics as a bridge to frameworks like TCFD. The company also advocates for more time from regulators to address the complexities of reducing Scope 3 emissions across its value chain.

• Ecolab has established specific climate targets: halving Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 (from a 2018 baseline) and achieving net zero across its entire value chain by 2050, which includes a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
• The company views water conservation as a critical lever for climate action because water pumping, treatment, and disposal are energy-intensive; therefore, reducing water demand directly lowers greenhouse gas emissions and costs.
• Ecolab is implementing site-level water reductions in the Los Angeles area to mitigate the impact of record-low water levels in the Colorado River Basin, conserving 4.3 million gallons per year at two facilities.
• The World Economic Forum's 21 core Stakeholder Metrics serve as a governance framework for Ecolab's board, rationalizing ESG disclosures into a succinct set that helps directors identify where oversight is needed.
• Ecolab is using the Forum's metrics to transition from voluntary to regulated reporting, specifically preparing for the US SEC's climate disclosure requirements and the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the latter of which involves "double materiality".
• The company argues that reducing Scope 3 emissions is exceptionally difficult and urges regulators and standard-setters to provide companies with more time to collaborate with suppliers on necessary actions.

APA

World Economic Forum (2023). Ecolab highlights value of succinct sustainability metrics in galvanizing leadership on water and climate crises. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_SCM_Ecolab_August_2023.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Ecolab highlights value of succinct sustainability metrics in galvanizing leadership on water and climate crises. 2023. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_SCM_Ecolab_August_2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Ecolab highlights value of succinct sustainability metrics in galvanizing leadership on water and climate crises |date=August 2023 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_SCM_Ecolab_August_2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2023ecolab, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Ecolab highlights value of succinct sustainability metrics in galvanizing leadership on water and climate crises}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2023}, month = aug, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_SCM_Ecolab_August_2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }