Sustainability
Wessex Water aims to be a genuinely sustainable company. But what do ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ mean?
The basic meaning of sustainability - the ability to continue – seems simple. However, it is a hugely significant idea because true sustainability needs economic progress, environmental protection and the well-being of people to be successfully balanced. This is not something that society has achieved in the past.
Sustainable development is about activities that help society move towards sustainability. Forum for the Future describe it as being
A dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth's life support systems
For Wessex Water to be sustainable, our work must be compatible with the things that keep us going as a company and are central to people’s quality of life. For example:
- products from the environment such as water
- services provided by the environment, such as the absorption of cleaned effluent
- the goodwill of customers and other outside interests
- the knowledge, welfare and motivation of our staff
- the condition of our infrastructure
- our finances.
Over time, business success depends on how we use and invest in these environmental, social and manufactured resources.
The business sector is becoming increasingly interested in sustainable development. The attempts made by businesses to act in accordance with sustainable development principles are sometimes referred to as 'corporate responsibility'.
In 2003 Wessex Water became a signatory of the UN Global Compact in 2003. This seeks to advance responsible action by business, based around nine principles covering human rights, labour standards and the environment. The Global Compact is a voluntary initiative relying on accountability and transparency. There are 37 signatories in the UK of which Wessex Water was the first water company. We were also instrumental in enabling the city of Bath to commit to the Compact.