Why water consciousness is a business imperative in China

Published on April 25, 2013 09:53 by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Business

[Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part series that examines the water risks and solutions facing Chinese supply chains.]

Droughts in the north, floods in the south. Toxic industrial runoff, overdrawn ground water and evenbloated pigs and dead ducks in major waterways. The list of China's water woes is long and appears to be growing.

We all know that China is the supply chain hub for the American economy. Nearly everything we use -- mobile phones, TVs, handbags and even U.S. Olympic team clothing -- is made in China, where export jobs support 200 million workers.

Yet despite the avalanche of news reports and stomach-churning photos, I've found it challenging to get to the bottom of the many water risks facing the industrial suppliers of U.S. companies. Media censorship and poor government data means limited access to information for many corporate managers we speak to at Ceres who are only beginning to understand the complicated nature of the water risks facing their Chinese supply base.

So, what do we know about the Chinese water situation?

Media

Taxonomy

Environment