Primary Functions
- As a company, provide best practices on WASH and meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Detailed Description
The WBCSD Pledge for Access to Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) at the Workplace is an opportunity for companies to contribute concretely to the implementation of SDG 6, while at the same time ensuring that they provide international best practice on WASH.
By signing the WASH Pledge, companies commit to implementing access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at the workplace at an appropriate level of standard for all employees in all premises under their control within three years of signature.
The WBCSD WASH Pledge implementation support materials outline what international best practice on WASH at the workplace represents, provide advocacy materials, guidance on implementation, and a self-assessment tool.
Why sign the WASH Pledge?
CEO Call to Action video: Paul Bulcke (CEO, Nestlé), Tom Albanese (CEO, Vedanta Resources), Nick Blazquez (former President, Diageo Africa and Asia Pacific), Paul Polman (CEO, Unilever) and Peter Bakker (CEO & President, WBCSD) explain why signing the WASH Pledge is crucial for any business.
One third of the world’s population is without access to a safe toilet, 10% of the world’s population does not have access to safe drinking water, and 1 in every 8 people practice open defecation. Conversely, every USD 1 invested in water and sanitation yields a return of USD 4.3, through increased worker productivity and reduced absenteeism.
By signing the WASH Pledge, companies:
- Demonstrate leadership by joining WBCSD members in setting a higher standard for the health and safety of company employees
- Generate impact by contributing to the implementation of the SDGs
- Reap business benefits by investing in a healthier and more productive workforce and strengthening their social license to operate
Who’s committed?
Note: in addition to these companies, a number of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) have committed to the WASH Pledge.
How can your company sign the WASH Pledge?
The signature process is quite straightforward: any person in a position to commit the company can sign by sending a written statement in an email to the WBCSD Water team.
Example statement
This email confirms that Name of the Company has committed to signing the ‘WBCSD Pledge for Access to Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at the Workplace’. We recognize that by signing this Pledge, Name of the Company commits to implementing access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at the workplace at an appropriate level of standard for all employees in all premises under our direct control within three years of signature.
