标普+可持续发展洞察研究：挑战与机遇（演讲PPT）-英-19页_1mb

Sustainability Focus Webinar Summary: Lost Water - Challenges and Opportunities

Core Content

The webinar titled "Lost Water: Challenges and Opportunities" explores the global issue of non-revenue water (NRW), which refers to water that is withdrawn and treated but not billed. It highlights the importance of addressing NRW in the context of sustainability and climate adaptation.

Key Challenges and Opportunities

What is NRW?

• NRW is water that is taken from sources, treated, and used but not paid for by consumers.
• It includes water lost due to leaks, theft, and metering inaccuracies.

Global Impact of NRW

• 126 billion cubic meters of water are lost annually worldwide.
• NRW is a significant issue in many countries, with >30% of water withdrawals affected in two-thirds of them.
• In the U.S., $187.2 billion in lost revenue is estimated based on average rates at municipal water utilities.

NRW and the SDGs

• NRW affects multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
  • SDG6: Clean water and sanitation for all.
  • SDG9: Resilient infrastructure and innovation.
  • SDG10: Reduced inequalities.
  • SDG11: Sustainable cities and communities.
  • SDG13: Climate action.
  • SDG14: Life below water.

Performance of Utilities and Countries

• More than half of reporting companies have leakage rates above 20%.
• Two-thirds of U.S. public finance utilities have water loss rates over 10%.
• There is little correlation between per capita GDP and NRW rates, suggesting that economic development does not necessarily lead to improved water management.

Role of NRW in Climate Adaptation

• Water infrastructure investment is critical for climate adaptation.
• In some countries, water investments represent a large share of adaptation finance needs.
• Addressing NRW can help mitigate water stress, protect ecosystems, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Regulatory Environment

• The regulatory landscape for NRW is mixed, with varying levels of support and enforcement across regions.

Credit Analysis Perspective

How S&P Analyzes NRW for U.S. Not-for-Profit Water Utilities

• ESG risks and opportunities are integrated into credit analysis, often marked in blue in the methodology charts.
• The methodology and assumptions for U.S. municipal water, sewer, and solid waste utilities include consideration of environmental, social, and governance factors.
• High NRW rates may pose operating risks for utilities, potentially leading to downgrades, though such cases are rare.

Key Takeaways

• NRW deters investment in water infrastructure and reflects the performance, financial health, and governance of utilities.
• Reducing NRW can lead to:
  • Improved access to safe water.
  • Mitigation of water stress.
  • Protection of ecosystems.
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Investment decisions today can have a long-term impact on NRW rates.
• In emerging markets, access to private-sector funding and regulatory incentives is often limited, which hinders progress.
• High NRW rates are a rare cause of downgrades in utility ratings.

Q&A and Further Resources

• The webinar includes a Q&A session for participants to ask questions.
• Slides and additional research are available in the resource widget.
• Speaker bios can be accessed via the speaker bio widget.
• A survey is provided at the end of the webinar to gather participant feedback.

Disclaimer

• All content, including ratings and analyses, is subject to copyright and not to be modified, reverse-engineered, or distributed without prior written permission.
• S&P does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content.
• The Content is provided on an "as is" basis, and S&P Parties disclaim all warranties and liabilities.

Conclusion

The webinar emphasizes that NRW is a critical sustainability challenge with far-reaching implications for public health, economic development, and environmental protection. It underscores the importance of infrastructure investment, the need for better governance and regulation, and the potential benefits of reducing NRW for both utilities and society.