Contact

Water and marine life

Sustainable water management and protection of marine ecosystems

Water and marine life are the backbone of our planet. But what if these vital resources come under increasing pressure? For organizations, this means both risks and opportunities. From water scarcity disrupting production chains to new markets in the blue economy, those who take action now create sustainable value creation.

Why water and marine life are strategically important

Water is not just an operational resource. It is a strategic resource that connects organizations to their environment, their value chain and their future. Four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, while water quality is deteriorating worldwide. And the Netherlands? That even has the worst water quality of all EU member states.

Marine ecosystems are under similar pressures. Increasing activities on oceans and seas are putting pressure on marine ecosystems, with disruption of marine life from energy extraction, overfishing, plastic pollution and water pollution from industrial discharges being the biggest threats.

These challenges affect organizations more directly than is often realized. From manufacturing processes that depend on clean water to supply chains that lean on healthy marine ecosystems. Water and marine life are part of the broader environmental theme that organizations must approach strategically.

The two pillars of water and marine life

Water management: from scarcity to stewardship

Water use goes beyond simply abstraction and discharge. It includes the complete management of water quality, quantity and availability throughout the value chain. Companies must report their total water use, including where and how much water they withdraw from natural sources.

Effective water management means:

  • Minimizing water consumption through efficient technologies
  • Protecting water quality through treatment systems
  • Implementing water reuse in production processes
  • Regenerating water systems through nature-based solutions

Marine ecosystems: from depletion to recovery

Marine biodiversity is of great importance to us as humans. Healthy oceans regulate the climate, store CO₂ and provide food for billions of people. Seas globally absorb about 30 percent of our CO₂ emissions, making them crucial to combating climate change.

For organizations, this means opportunities in:

  • Sustainable aquaculture and marine biotechnology
  • Offshore wind and tidal power
  • Seaweed farming and natural carbon sequestration
  • Circular economy with marine resources

The blue economy as a growth opportunity

With increasing investment in “blue growth” and “blue biotechnology,” the use of our sea is on the rise. The blue economy combines economic development with conservation of marine ecosystems.

This offers organizations concrete opportunities:

  • Innovation in sustainable shipping and logistics
  • Development of marine food products
  • Ecosystem restoration services as a new business
  • Technological solutions for water treatment

Legal frameworks and ESRS E3

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive(CSRD) requires large organizations to be transparent about water and marine resources through ESRS E3. ESRS E3 is a crucial standard that requires companies to evaluate and transparently report on their impact on water and marine resources.

Key reporting areas under ESRS E3:

  • Water consumption and efficiency
  • Impact on water quality
  • Dependence on water resources
  • Protection of marine biodiversity

However, this reporting requirement is more than just compliance. It allows organizations to make their value creation visible and identify new market opportunities.

Practical steps for organizations

Map your complete water use: direct consumption in in-house operations, indirect use through the supply chain, and impact on local water systems. Use tools such as the Water Risk Atlas to identify site-specific risks.

Analyze how your organization interacts with marine ecosystems. From transportation routes across oceans to the use of marine resources, each interaction offers opportunities for improvement or innovation.

Integrate water and marine life into your ESG strategy. Set SMART goals for water reduction, water quality improvement and marine biodiversity protection. Make sure these goals align with your business strategy and provide financial benefits.

Water and marine life transcend organizational boundaries. Work with suppliers, customers and partners to create a more sustainable value chain. Set sustainability requirements, provide support and create joint solutions.

Implement robust monitoring of your water and marine impacts. Report not only on risks, but also on opportunities and positive impacts. Use this information for continuous improvement and stakeholder communication.

Connection to other themes

Water and marine life do not stand alone. They connect closely with other environmental themes:

  • Climate – Healthy oceans regulate the climate and store CO₂.
  • Pollution – Water pollution threatens both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
  • Biodiversity – Marine biodiversity is a critical component of global ecosystems.
  • Circular economy – Water reuse and marine resources support circular business models.

An integrated approach avoids conflicting measures and maximizes synergy between different sustainability themes.

For SME organizations

Smaller organizations can also make an impact on water and marine life. SMEs often have more direct connections to their local environment and can implement innovative solutions more quickly.

SME opportunities in water and marine life:

  • Local water projects and nature restoration
  • Niche innovations in blue technology
  • Collaboration with large companies in the value chain
  • Anticipating future regulations

From water strategy to impact

Water and marine life offer organizations the opportunity to create real value. For their operations, their stakeholders and the planet. It requires a strategic approach that goes beyond risk management.

At Empact, we help organizations transform water and marine life from compliance issue to strategic opportunity. From identifying risks and opportunities to developing concrete action plans, we guide you to sustainable value creation.

Ready to tackle water and marine life strategically? Contact us for a conversation about your challenges and opportunities.

Start making an impact
More on water and marine life

Keeping course during political storms

‘Only 4% of the Dutch still trust politics,’ the media recently headlined. The double fall of the Schoof government and the chaos in The Hague create great uncertainty.

Go to all insights