SWITZERLAND – The global flavor and fragrance company, Givaudan has endorsed the CEO Water Mandate, a UN Global Compact initiative which brings together major business leaders to address global water challenges.
As the latest company to endorse the mandate, the Swiss company has committed to action across six key areas including the use of water in direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, and community engagement.
The endorsement of the mandate builds on Givaudan’s commitment to water stewardship, which earned a CDP A grade in January this year.
The ingredient supplier views water as an essential element both in its manufacturing activities and in its entire value chain, and the company is “looking to consume and discharge this increasingly precious natural resource in a socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial manner.”
“Water stewardship is a global challenge which requires a global response,” said Gilles Andrier, the chief executive officer, Givaudan.
“Driven by our purpose, we must lead the way by delivering on our own ambitious commitments to protect this precious natural resource, while harnessing the power of collaboration across sectors to drive change.”
The company has already surpassed its 2020 target for reducing global water consumption per tonne of production by 15% against a 2009, baseline three years ahead of schedule.
Givaudan insists that its water targets have been developed to contribute specifically to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6; clean water and sanitation, and SDG 12; responsible consumption and production.
Givaudan’s endorsement of the mandate came as the UN commemorated this year’s World Water Day. This year’s focus was on raising awareness of the link between water and climate change and the initiatives that can be put in place to address this.
“We believe that our business operations must be fully aligned and contribute to the sustainable management of water, in the key water basins in which we are active,” said Willem Mutsaerts, Head of Global Procurement and Sustainability.
“We intend to be a role model in water stewardship by working to protect water-dependent ecosystems and encouraging the sustainable use of water resources.”
Givaudan now joins over 170 companies including Ferrero, The Coca-Cola Company, Danone Ambev, Bunge, Firmenich, AB InBev, Bayer, Braskem, Heineken, Keurig Dr Pepper, Diageo, Pepsico, Mondi, Neste, Olam and Cargill that have endorsed the mandate.
The commitment further strengthens Givaudan’s sustainability approach, tagged ‘A Sense of Tomorrow,’ which covers major aspects of the company’s business and is built around three focus areas: Sourcing for Shared Value, Innovating Responsibly, and Acting for Our Environment.
