SDG aligned | Clean Water – Combating water scarcity

04/06/2021
SDG - Clean Water

Summary

Water scarcity is not news but has become a more urgent and critical issue that we need to care about. Rapid climate change nowadays has caused worsening droughts. The imbalance between water supply and demand has affected water scarcity. To help humans have cleaner and safer water, more and more companies have been dedicating to developing sustainable water solutions.

Key takeaways

  • As near as you may remember, there were several water crises in recent years, including drying Dead Sea in Jordan and water shortages in the US, India, Turkey and Taiwan. Water crisis is in the top 5 of global risks in terms of impact to society1 as water is essential for life.
  • Human bodies are made up of 60% water and a person needs 2-3 liters per day. However, there are 785 million people lacking access to safe water in the world or 1 out of every 9 people.2
  • Demand for “Clean Water” is increasing. Today, more solutions and technologies exist to help ensure safe water and connect water-rich with water-scarce regions, or to improve water usage efficiency – and also to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.

Important facts relating to (lack of) safe water and sanitation

Infographic - Water 

Water Challenges

Water is essential and it matters to our life. During the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most effective ways to prevent exposure to the coronavirus is to wash our hands. However, 40% of the global population still does not have access to clean water and soap in their homes.

SDG-Clean-water-2

The growing imbalance between water supply and demand is driven by multiple factors: population growth, rising living standards, industrialization and electrification of emerging markets and higher irrigation needs for intensive farming. The UN’s Sustainable Development goal is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by the year 2030 (Goal 6). Many investments to help balance the supply and demand for water have already started.

In developed markets, much of the ageing water and waste infrastructure has been neglected for decades and is due to be replaced or upgraded to meet higher regulatory standards. In emerging markets, water and sanitation demands must be met by new infrastructure and local resources, including water saving and water generating technologies. 

 

Sustainable Water Solutions

While rainfall comes “for free”, clean water out of the tap does not. Providing a city or a farming region with water requires major investments along the entire water  supply chain – this is where the value is.

Only a few countries have achieved the level of sophistication where water is routinely safe to drink or can be released back into the environment, leaving a lot of investments yet to be completed, especially in emerging markets.

A Christian-based nonprofit organization, Lifewater,has been helping emerging countries to access clean water. They work with local experts to develop software and hardware solutions. Software solutions involve behavioural changes that result from raising awareness through appropriate communications, while hardware solutions address problems using appropriate water and sanitation technology developed by engineers. Those sources continue to provide safe water access to communities that didn’t have water before.

Reducing water waste is also important. Around 70% of available water is used for agriculture; an eco-friendly system can also help to use water effectively. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology also launched an initiative to find solutions to water scarcity, with a special focus on Southern Europe. There are 6 solutions,5

– High-tech irrigation systems
– Drip irrigation systems for poorer regions
– Storing water in dry regions
– Recycling wastewater
– Aquaponics: combining agricultural techniques
– Regenerative agriculture: focusing on soil

Collection wells, pumping stations, filtration solutions and the treatment of sewage water are only a few examples of the equipment needed to operate the complex system of fresh and waste water. Components that reduce water loss and further improve its quality in the delivery chain ensures that clean, dependable water can be provided at affordable rates for everyone. Companies offering these technologies stand to benefit, and will have a positive impact on the lives of billions of people.

SDG-Clean-water-3

Environmental and social pressures force industrial and agricultural users to reduce the amount of water they consume, as well as the level of water pollution and contamination produced. Companies addressing the consumption efficiency challenge enjoy fundamental, secular, social, and political support to ensure ongoing demand for their products and services.

Investors are in a unique position to invest in and influence businesses in a manner that creates positive change. Given that success in  delivering the SDGs can trigger economic growth, this will also appeal to participants in the equity capital markets. 

There is a growing supply of sustainable business opportunities, for example - the companies that offer technologies or provide solutions, can help achieve the SDGs. These enablers are more resilient to macroeconomic and political volatility and benefit from regulatory tailwinds. This presents an opportunity for investors to contribute in a way that not only triggers sustainable growth, but also helps them pursue potential attractive financial returns.

SDG-shared

 

1 Siwi.org, 15 Jan 2020 
2 Water.org, April 2021
3 Ecolab, Closing Keynote Presentation from the Financial Times Water Summit from Doug Baker, CEO of Ecolab. Emerald Edible, Water, Waste & Energy. Converted US gallons to litres, rounded to nearest 10 litres, May 2019
4 cdn.ymaws.com, May 2019 
5 Streetroots, 24 March, 2021 

 

> download


SDG aligned | Food security – Growing seeds

04/06/2021
SDG - Food Security

Summary

The coronavirus pandemic refocused our attention on the value of food, with the question “how to grow seeds” trending on the internet. Yet even before the pandemic hit, the entire system of providing people with food was hugely inefficient. And without action, it will likely only get worse. The good news is that the private sector can address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by investing in innovations that improve the sustainability of the food economy – with the goal to do it profitably.

Key takeaways

  • Millions of people live in the shadow of hunger, but a third of all food goes to waste throughout the supply chain
  • Our current food-production system is environmentally harmful, so the answer isn’t simply to produce more food in the same way
  • The world needs investment in innovative systems to improve the sustainability of our food supply – and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals can provide helpful guidance about where to invest
  • Data-driven precision agriculture, “vertical farming” methods and aquaponics can improve how food is grown, while elsewhere companies are pioneering more sustainable packaging methods and reducing food waste
  • Creating alternatives to animal protein and promoting wellness in people and animals – can address both nutritional and environmental challenges

Allianz Global Investors

You are leaving this website and being re-directed to the below website outside Singapore. This does not imply any approval or endorsement of the information by Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited contained in the redirected website nor does Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited accept any responsibility or liability in connection with this hyperlink and the information contained herein. Please keep in mind that the redirected website may contains funds and strategies not authorized for offering to the public of Singapore. Besides, please also take note on the redirected website’s terms and conditions, privacy and security policies, or other legal information. By clicking “Continue”, you confirm you acknowledge the details mentioned above and would like to continue accessing the redirected website. Please click “Stay here” if you have any concerns.

Welcome to Allianz Global Investors

Select your role
  • Individual Investor
  • Intermediaries
  • Other Investors
  • It contains legal and regulatory notices relevant to the information contained on this website. By accessing this website, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please discontinue your access to this website immediately if you do not accept any of these terms or conditions.


    Investments

    The content of this website is for informational purposes only and does not have any regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person.

    Advice should be sought from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any fund before purchasing units in the fund. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from a financial adviser, you should consider whether the fund is suitable for you. Prices of funds and income from them may fall or rise and cannot be guaranteed.

    Past performance of any fund or manager/ sub-manager of the fund are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

    Prospectuses for funds registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Authorised Scheme and Recognised Scheme are available, and may be obtained from Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited or its appointed distributors. Investors should read the prospectuses before investing in such funds.


    No Reliance

    Although Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited has taken all reasonable care that the information contained within the website is accurate at the time of publication, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), expressed or implied, is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness by Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited or its contractual partners.

    Opinions and any other contents on this website are provided by Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited for personal use and informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice.

    Nothing contained in the website constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor is to be relied on in making an investment or other decision. You should obtain relevant and specific professional advice before making any investment decision.


    No Warranty

    The information and opinions contained on the website are provided without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, to the fullest extent pursuant to applicable law. Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited further assumes no responsibility for, and makes no warranties that, functions contained on the website will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that the website or the servers that make it available will be free of viruses or other harmful components.


    Liability Waiver

    Under no circumstances, including , but not limited to, negligence, shall Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited be liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the access or use of, or the inability to access or use, the materials at the website.


    Linked Sites

    Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited has not reviewed any websites which link to this website, and is not responsible for the contents of off-site pages linked to from this website or any other websites linked to this website. Following links to any off-site pages or other websites shall be entirely at your own risk.

    The only exception to the above is that Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited will ensure that all our electronic prospectuses comply with the requirements for electronic prospectuses set out in the Guidelines on Offer of Securities made through the Internet issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.


    Copyright

    Copyright to this website is owned by Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited. The copyrights of third parties are reserved. You may download or print a hard copy of individual pages and/or sections of the website, provided that you do not remove any copyright or other proprietary notices. Any downloading or other copying from the website will not transfer title of any software or material to you. You may not reproduce (in whole or part), transmit (by electronic means or otherwise), modify, hyperlink or use for any public or commercial purpose the website without the prior permission of Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited.

    All trademarks, service marks and logos on this website are the property of Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited and other third party proprietors where applicable. Nothing on this website shall be construed as granting any license or right to use any image, trademark, service mark or logo, and Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited will enforce such rights to the full extent of applicable law.


    Money Laundering

    As a result of money laundering and other regulations, additional documentation for identification purposes may be required when you make your investment.


    Governing Law and Jurisdiction

    These Terms and Conditions governing Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited's website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Singapore. By accessing this website's online services, you agree that in relation to any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with these said terms and conditions, you hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Singapore.

    Approved for issue by Allianz Global Investors Singapore Limited, 79 Robinson Road, #09-03, Singapore 068897. Company Regn. No. 199907169Z.

    You may face minimal or no returns or suffer total loss of their investments if both the guarantor and the note issuer default.

     

Please indicate you have read and understood the Important Notice.