Water and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Business Framework for Water and COVID-19

To combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus and rebuild our economies during and after the pandemic, collective action on water is essential. Such action can help not only to contain the virus but also to realize the human right to water and accelerate the “blue” economy, whereby economic well-being and water resilience mutually reinforce one another. The business community can play a key role in combatting the spread of COVID-19, as well as rebuilding the economy and reducing the risk of future shocks.

This Issue Brief, developed by the Pacific Institute in its role as Co-Secretariat of the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate with the contribution and expertise of global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) NGO WaterAid, explores this role. It articulates the connections between water, COVID-19, and the business community; offers a practical framework on actions companies can take to advance COVID-19 response efforts in their operations, supply chains, and the communities where workers live; and connects businesses to capacity-building resources and practical examples of water-related actions companies are taking in response to COVID-19.