SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation

Goal: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Global Context

2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services, and 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation. Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the global population and is projected to rise. Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Climate change is intensifying water-related risks through more frequent droughts and floods.

Key Targets

Key targets include achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water (6.1), achieving access to adequate sanitation and hygiene (6.2), improving water quality by reducing pollution (6.3), substantially increasing water-use efficiency and ensuring sustainable freshwater withdrawals (6.4), implementing integrated water resources management (6.5), and protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems (6.6).

Business Contribution

Businesses contribute through water stewardship programmes (measuring and reducing water consumption), wastewater treatment and pollution prevention, water-efficient technologies and processes, watershed protection and restoration, and ensuring water access in communities where they operate. Water-intensive sectors (agriculture, mining, textiles, semiconductors, food and beverage) face particular scrutiny on water management.

Measurement & Reporting

GRI 303 (Water and Effluents), SASB water-related metrics across sectors, CDP Water Security questionnaire, CEO Water Mandate, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard.

Primary Sources

UN-Water, CEO Water Mandate, WRI Aqueduct

From ESG Library

• ESG & GRI Reporting Made Simple — SDG mapping and disclosure guidance
• Practical Guide to ESG Integration — Integrating SDGs into business strategy

View all books →

Related Topics

• GRI Standards
• UN Global Compact
• Environmental SDGs
• Social SDGs
• Governance SDGs