Water is an infinite global resource, and widely accessible, right? Wrong; water is a finite resource that must be protected. Water may cover more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, but only 0.5% of the world’s water is useable fresh water (source UN, 2023: Water – at the centre of the climate crisis). More worryingly, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that nearly two billion people do not have access safe drinking water with huge consequences on health and communities.
The rise of water guzzling tech
Did you also know for example, AI is playing an increasingly more important role in water consumption? As the specialised field further develops, the likelihood is the demand on water supply will only grow in tandem. At present the global semiconductor industry uses an estimated 1.2 million megalitres of water every year… (Semiconductor Digest, October 2022: Water Supply Challenges for the Semiconductor Industry)
Accessibility
A constant in most developed countries, freely running water is a regarded as a basic provision, without much thought as to what the end-to-end process entails.
For those most in need, the urgency for significant investment is a result of long periods of underinvestment, a weakening infrastructure and increased demand strain due to population growth. Other concerns include:
- Water Scarcity
- Rise and longevity of aging populations
- Climate change
- Pollution
- Urbanisation
- Infrastructure
- Geo-political tensions
- Water intensive manufacturing
- Increased regulatory focus with the industry facing far more scrutiny around water quality, types of additives, and water pricing.
We don’t want to use a band aid to patch wider systemic issues
A by-product of an industry facing numerous challenges in both the long and short term, multiple opportunities are created to make a tangible difference in shaping the future of the water industry. At BNPP AM we believe we are in a prime position to be one of the leaders in driving change, and to be active participants helping to redress the more pressing issues which require urgent attention. We are proud to invest and support some of the leading innovators in their field progressing a water revolution, driving efficiencies, lobbying for better water quality, improving plant productivity and better water management.
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