SYDNEY, 31 July 2024 - The release of the "National Water Reform 2024 Inquiry report" marks a significant advancement in Australia's approach to sustainable water management, aligning closely with the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia’s (BCSDA) vision and contributions towards enhancing the National Water Initiative (NWI).
The "National Water Reform 2024 Inquiry report," now available, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future direction of water management policies in Australia. Key contributions from BCSDA have been instrumental in shaping the discourse, particularly in advocating for the integration of climate change adaptation into the NWI. These contributions are detailed in BCSDA's submission, which has been acknowledged in the report for its alignment with the proposed policy enhancements.
Relevance to SDGs:
The report’s recommendations support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By advocating for modernised water management frameworks, improved transparency in water quality data, and more robust water market functioning, the findings aim to foster sustainable practices that are essential for achieving these goals at national and global levels.
“BCSDA's input has been to emphasise the need for a forward-looking approach to water management that incorporates global best practices and technological innovations,” said Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSDA. “The report reflects this perspective by proposing actionable reforms that are crucial for sustainability in the water sector, and highlighting the critical role that business must make to create scale and speed of its transformation.”
In its submission, BCSDA advocated for a transformative approach in national water reform, including highlighting two tools available to Australian governments to achieve such an outcome: leverage the Water Act 2007 to establish a robust framework for sustainable water management, integrating insights from global best practices, and adapt the Water Act to contemporary challenges, including technological advancements and evolving environmental conditions. BCSDA also drew on the tools and resources from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in its submission.
Business Case for Sustainable Practices:
The report articulates a strong business case for companies to adopt scalable and actionable solutions to water management challenges. It outlines how aligning with sustainable practices can lead to operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and enhanced compliance with environmental regulations, thereby improving business resilience and competitiveness in the global market.
“The release of the "National Water Reform 2024 Inquiry report" is a call to action for all stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and civil society, to collaborate and drive the implementation of its recommendations. BCSDA continues to advocate for these changes, urging a unified approach to ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of sustainable water management,” Petersen said.
About BCSD Australia
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.
In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.
t: +61 (0)2 8005 0780
m: +61 (0)412 545 994
For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994