Will Sarni

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.