Abstract
Globally, water resource management has emerged as an important research area and is acknowledged as a crucial factor in achieving sustainable development goals. Despite its significance, water-related sustainability disclosures regarding water and water-related risks among companies are alarmingly weak. Many companies are not effectively measuring, managing, and disclosing their water-related risks. Hence, this paper aims to analyze water-related reporting and disclosure requirements of a sample of ten South African mining and non-mining companies with a high water profile, listed on the JSE Socially Responsible Investment Index. The companies’ level of compliance on water disclosure was assessed based on their reporting in the integrated and or annual reports. The findings revealed that sampled five mining companies performed poorly in terms of disclosure across the frameworks of awareness, disclosure, management, and leadership. On the other hand, the selection of five non-mining companies grasped the severe effect of the water crisis on their businesses and performed better in all the framework categories. The average score for the selection of mining companies was 65% compared to the 93% for the non-mining companies. Stakeholders need to focus on water governance processes that require improvement to enable the stakeholders to make better decisions on water management; subsequently, this is an area that needs to be addressed in future research.
Highlights
The selection of five non-mining companies grasped the severe effect of the water crisis on their businesses and performed better in all the framework categories
Under the Disclosure category, Tiger Brands has pany has set out goals and guidelines for waemployed a group research team that undertakes ter management, aiming to reduce the load on water risk assessments as part of their 3-year an- their water footprint
If companies fail to acknowledge the seriousness of the current water situation, they lie susceptible to many water-related risks that could affect their sustainability
Summary
Identified as having the most significant water Woolworths has started a new initiative called footprint are subject to stringent water audits, Farming for the Future This project promotes an and improvement plans have been devised improved way of farming that encourages farmand implemented; ers to grow the crop that is sustainable and in harmony with the environment. This in- use various frameworks available for natural capiitiative aims to promote the business case amongst tal, a comparison between companies becomes difthe private sector for sustainable management and ficult. Awareness – How comprehensively the company views its business activity and its link
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