MESSAGES FROM TRASTA ESG

In this issue of our sustainability newsletter, we focus on the critical concept of water footprint, which is vital for our planet and future. The sustainable management of water resources is becoming increasingly important for individuals, businesses, and communities. In this context, we will discuss the steps needed to understand the impacts of our water consumption.

Additionally, in our news corner, where we share the latest developments regarding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, you can keep up with global trends in this field. In the Green Corner, we focus on a recently published report by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. This report highlights that the global water crisis is not just a local or regional issue, but a significant threat with economic and social consequences worldwide. If fundamental changes are not made in water consumption and management, future generations will face significant risks regarding both water resources and food security.

As we embark on this in-depth journey into the sustainability of water in this issue, we aim to contribute to a greener future together. You are invited to explore the value of water for a more sustainable future.

Enjoy your reading!

Stay sustainable…

ÖZGÜN ÇINAR, CEO

ESG NEWS

  • Sweep and Capgemini Invent surveyed 554 sustainability leaders from businesses and financial institutions of various sizes. Here’s what they found: 78% of companies still use spreadsheets to track their emissions. Gathering sustainability data remains a significant challenge. The key priority for 2025 is leveraging data to drive climate action. DETAIL
  • Rising sea levels threaten to completely submerge Tuvalu in the coming decades. Facing an unprecedented crisis, officials are not only trying to preserve a shrinking country but attempting to ensure the nation, as well as its culture and traditions, will still exist, even if its land doesn’t. DETAIL
  • A team of researchers has developed a more sustainable and affordable way to recycle metal found in electronic waste. Researchers used electrothermal chlorination, or flash Joule heating (FJH), and carbochlorination to save several metals from e-waste by heating a material with an electric current. They published their findings in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. DETAIL
  • A growing number of the planet’s “vital signs” have reached record levels due to climate change and other environmental threats, according to a stark report by a group of prominent researchers. “We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster,” write William Ripple at Oregon State University and his colleagues. “This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperilled.” The report is the fifth annual State of the Climate report led by Ripple in an effort to present a clear warning of what the researchers say is a crisis given the extremes measured across key climate indicators, from greenhouse gas levels to tree cover loss. DETAIL
  • At this year’s London Fashion Week, Malwee — one of Brazil’s largest names in everyday clothing — announced a t-shirt capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Ar.voree t-shirt, which borrows its name from árvore, the Portuguese word for tree, absorbs CO2 while worn. When the t-shirt is washed, the captured CO2 reacts with regular laundry detergent and is broken down into sodium bicarbonate. Absorbent agents in the fabric are simultaneously recharged, and the process can start all over again: wear, capture, wash, repeat. DETAIL
  • China’s Sany has built the world’s largest onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 15 MW. The SI-270150 model introduced by Sany Group has the highest capacity among onshore turbines with 15 MW of power in a single unit. It also stands out as the largest diameter onshore turbine installed in the world with its 270-meter rotor. The turbine also breaks another record with its 131-meter-long blade. With this huge capacity, a single unit can generate enough electricity for 160,000 households for a year. DETAIL

🍃GREEN COLUMN🍃

GLOBAL COMMISSION ON THE ECONOMİCS OF WATER REPORT

The Global Water Crisis: 5 Critical Steps to Save Our Future

The global water crisis has reached a level that can no longer be ignored, driven by a combination of climate change and mismanagement. The depletion of water resources is not only an environmental threat but also triggers a crisis that will stall economic growth, reduce agricultural production, and deepen inequalities between societies. In this context, the report published by the GCEW emphasizes the indispensable role of international cooperation and sustainable management strategies in solving this crisis. The report asserts that water should be recognized as a global common value and highlights five essential missions for addressing the issue.

Economic and Social Impacts of the Water Crisis

According to the report, the water crisis could lead to a reduction of 8% in gross domestic product in high-income countries and between 10% and 15% in low-income countries by 2050. Additionally, a decrease of up to 23% in agricultural products is anticipated, posing an even greater threat to agriculture-dependent economies. The disruption of the global water cycle has the potential to significantly impact both labor and production in critical sectors such as agriculture and industry. Climate change and poor water management are destabilizing natural rainfall patterns, further disrupting the global water cycle.

The report discusses two fundamental forms of water: Blue water and green water. Green water, which is stored in soil and vegetation, is responsible for 50% of global precipitation. Vital for the sustainability of agriculture and ecosystems, green water is increasingly at risk due to rising temperatures.

Water scarcity not only leads to economic and environmental issues but also has the potential to cause geopolitical tensions. The report predicts that the reduction of water resources will complicate cross-border collaborations and lead to new conflicts over water sharing.

The report suggests that governments should guide water consumption through incentives and invest in infrastructure in the right areas. Particularly in developing countries, investing in water infrastructure is of paramount importance. Financial institutions need to integrate the criteria of water resource protection into their lending conditions. It is also emphasized that there should be proper pricing of water globally and that agricultural subsidies should be revised to eliminate incentives for planting water-intensive crops in unsuitable regions.

Governments are seen as necessary to establish standards for the protection and efficient use of water resources, while the private sector must develop solutions that comply with these standards. The creation of a global water data infrastructure is also believed to facilitate the management of this crisis by providing transparency and effectiveness in water resource management. This infrastructure would enable accurate monitoring and management of both blue and green water. Furthermore, the transparent reporting of companies’ water footprints and the environmental impacts of water use could promote a market-based approach to water management.

Effective water management requires strong collaboration between governments and the private sector. In this context, the establishment of a Global Water Pact is being proposed. This pact should include policies that ensure the protection of water resources and address the water crisis as a global issue.

Proposed Five Critical Missions

1.Revolution in Food Systems

Agriculture is one of the sectors that consumes the most water resources. The use of sustainable agricultural systems and micro-irrigation techniques will play a significant role in reducing water consumption. The adoption of climate-resilient seeds and regenerative farming practices that enhance soil’s water retention capacity can increase agricultural productivity while also contributing to the conservation of water resources.

2.Protection of Green Water and Natural Habitats

Protecting green water resources is critical for ensuring the sustainability of moisture in the soil and water stored in vegetation. Halting deforestation and restoring natural habitats are among the key objectives of this mission.

3.Creating a Circular Water Economy

Promoting the recycling and reuse of wastewater through a circular water economy is one of the most important steps to mitigate the water crisis. Reusing wastewater can significantly contribute to the conservation of water resources.

4.Clean Energy and Artificial Intelligence to Reduce Water Consumption

Clean energy technologies and artificial intelligence are expected to help alleviate pressure on water resources. This mission emphasizes the promotion of energy solutions that ensure water efficiency.

5.Access to Clean Water for Everyone by 2030

Every individual needs access to a certain amount of clean water to live a dignified life. The report cites a daily requirement of 4,000 liters of water per person as a reference point. However, millions of people worldwide still lack access to clean water. Water resources need to be prioritized and directed to the regions most in need.

In summary, the protection and sustainable use of water resources is not only an environmental necessity but also a humanitarian responsibility. Recognizing water as a global value can pave the way for the necessary policies for fair and sustainable water management.

DAMLA GÜNALP, SUSTAINABILITY ASSISTANT SPECIALIST

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