American Water Works Association joins UN Global Compact, commits to global sustainability
(DENVER) – The American Water Works Association (AWWA) today announced it has joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact – the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. This step underscores AWWA’s ongoing commitment to responsible sustainability practices and aligns the association with a global collaboration for a more sustainable future.
AWWA has actively supported UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since the UN officially launched them in 2016. By joining the compact, AWWA officially pledges to integrate the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption into its core strategies and operations. AWWA will engage in collaborative projects, knowledge-sharing and advocacy to advance these Principles within the water sector and beyond.
“AWWA knows a better world is possible when there is better water,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “The partnership with the UN Global Compact will accelerate our providing the best water practices for sustainable and responsible management of our most vital resource – water.”
AWWA’s pledges to participate in and engage with the UN Global Compact in the following ways:
- To promote and organize industry- and sector-specific events for members to exchange knowledge and enhance learning.
- To provide expertise and facilitate industry-wide partnership on key UN goals and issues.
- To support the development and activities of the Global Compact network.
AWWA President Patrick Kerr noted that joining the UN Global Compact complements many recommendations arising through AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative, an ongoing project that envisions the future of water and proposes a course for future success and sustainability.
“AWWA’s participation in the UN Global Compact gives added energy to the vision advanced through the association’s ongoing Water 2050 initiative,” said Kerr said. “Collaboration on a global scale is absolutely critical to assuring a sustainable water future.”
AWWA will publicly report on its progress within two years and will continue reporting every two years thereafter. The organization views its commitment to the UN Global Compact as pivotal in demonstrating its responsible corporate leadership in the water sector.
For more information about AWWA, visit awwa.org. For more information about the UN Global Compact, visit unglobalcompact.org.
###
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.
