Water Resources: Policy

Water is essential for human activity and continuously circulates around the planet as it changes between solid, liquid, and gaseous states. Although 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, 97.5% of it is salt water. The remaining 2.5% is fresh water that supports human and business activities. However, about three quarters of that fresh water is frozen in glaciers and other ice formations. As a result, the amount of freshwater actually available for human use represents less than 1% of the Earth’s total water supply. Under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global community is working to secure safe drinking water for all people. Through business activity and economic development initiatives, countries are also striving to ensure more prosperous livelihoods, including reliable access to water. Because economic scale and water consumption are closely linked, companies must use water, one of the Earth’s most precious natural resources, in an efficient and responsible manner. They must also aim to address water-related challenges through their business activities.

MC has stated its intention to promote the sustainable use of natural resources including water in its Environmental Charter, which was first established in 1996 and revised in 2017. As a company engaged in a wide range of businesses worldwide, MC has identified "Conserving and Effectively Utilizing Natural Capital" as part of its Materiality. The company recognizes water as an essential resource for its business activities and places strong importance on sustainable use across all of its operations. MC identifies water-related risks and opportunities in a timely manner, and sets appropriate practices for water consumption, recycling, reuse, and treatment throughout its operations. The company also works to improve efficiency and reduce overall water consumption.