Opinion
Big hopes and big numbers
Thursday, 24 June: After yesterday’s opening session in the UN General Assembly Hall, secretary general Ban Ki-moon gives his third speech, where he talks about ‘saving the world’.
How often do you hear that with credibility in a business meeting? He’s referring to everything from poverty to water stress. At a workshop on ‘Water: A Business Imperative’, I hear more big hopes and big numbers.
“Water is the lifeblood of our business,” said Diageo Americas executive vice president Guy Smith.
Coca-Cola International government relations vice president Afzaal Malik – the company and its bottling partners are planning to invest a whopping $12bn in Africa over the next 10 years.
An earlier speaker had said of water: “We simply have to rethink water. Water stress is one of the world’s biggest challenges. Yet, the solutions have to be local.”
Last words to Unilever CEO Paul Polman: “Business as usual is no longer an option. Climate change and water stress are real medium-term risks. Consumers will be looking to companies that are good citizens.”
Richard Hall is chairman of Zenith International. You can also read his blog at BevBlog.
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Richard Hall is chairman of Zenith International.
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