Water as a Resource in Austria - Research Paper Example

Historical Context of Sustainability Project - Water as a Resource in Austria Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 2. Overview of the Topic 4 2 Critical Evaluation of the Use of Water in Major Business Industries 4 3. Key Findings, Definition of the Project and Development of the Idea and Justification 6 3.1 Policy Development and Regulatory Compliance 8 3.2 Strategic Priority of Water Management Programs 8 3.3 Emphasising Continuous Development of CSR Activities 9 3.4 Continuous Monitoring and Examining the Water Management Policies and Practices 9 4. Reflective Analysis and Concluding Remarks 10 References 13 1. Executive Summary Water can be considered as one of the most indispensable natural resources, which has a higher probability of getting wasted or over consumed due to the ineffective use. According to the present day context, it has been frequently observed that the water resources located in different parts of Austria are dramatically polluted or over-consumed due to the growing number of commercial industries across the country. With regard to a critical understanding of the current water management processes, the report addresses a few key issues such as over-consumption and shortage of consumable water that led the country to face potential hazards. In this context, it has been identified that extensive use of water or increasing level of water consumption has been radically imposing greater risk for Austria to manage its primary water resources. The textile and construction industry along with their emerging number of production plants across Austria has been recognised to convey major challenge for the country. Moreover, in terms of still emerging issues regulatory compliance and poor governance system of the companies from both commercial industries (i.e. textile industry and construction industry) have been ascertained to be critical in the report. The issues may have a major implication on the natural environment and it can also impose severe risk for Austria to experience the crisis of water resources. In order to reduce the potential threats of water crisis, the discussion intends to develop a project which will include an effective set of recommended practices that can enable the commercial industries to effectively manage the natural resource i.e. water. The recommended practices relating to the issues such as emphasising CSR activities, executing water management programs as strategic priority and monitoring of water management practices and policies can also facilitate construction and textile manufacturing industries located in different parts of the nation to reduce the prevailing issues. Key Words: Austria, water management, over-consumption, textile industry, construction industry, CSR, policy development and regulatory compliance. 2. Overview of the Topic The emerging pace of competitiveness in the global business environment has been witnessed to play a major role towards the improvement of the global economy. In this regard, water is one of the primary and indispensable resources, which is extensively used by the companies from different business industries. According to the recent observation, it is widely accepted that water has been considered as one of the key resources facing major scarcity and severely creating a major threat not only for the people but the ecosystem of the world as well (Lamport, 2000). 2.1. Critical Evaluation of the Use of Water in Major Business Industries Water is one of the key natural resources, which is most essential for all living things along with each aspect within the global biological diversity. In relation to the recent phenomena, there are a number of global regions that have been experiencing a dramatic deficiency of water due to the continuous threats from the urbanisation and industrialisation (Walter & et. al., 2010). In relation to the recent studies, water footprint has been recognised to be a growing concern for a majority of nations due to the emerging growth of industrialisation (Morrison & et. al., 2009). The following pictorial illustration depicts the average exposure of water by different industrial sectors in the context of European nations. Source: (Morrison & et. al., 2009) In relation to the present day context, Austria has been facing a major shortage of water due to a number of key influencing factors. In this regard, the growing number of population along with continuous pace towards urbanisation and commercialisation are the major aspects that have a profound impact on water to reduce it to a vulnerable condition (European Commission, 2014). Although, the country has large reservoirs and basins across its different parts, a majority of regions have been facing dramatic challenges due to the shortage of consumable water. Correspondingly, the growing commercialisation or establishment of different industrial sectors across the diverse locations of the country has been identified to severely create an impact on water. The growing pace of industrialisation has also been witnessed to impose major threat for human-beings along with the efficacy of the overall biological diversity within the country (Martinuzzi & et. al, 2011). In relation to the present industrial sector in Austria, it can be identified that there is an increasing number of manufacturing plants along with urbanisation programs that are likely to use an extensive amount of water from the country’s natural resources. Subsequently, the rising development of the real-estate sector located in different states of Austria has a major impact on water. Moreover, the rising number of apparel manufacturing and food and beverage business industries located across the different Austrian markets has been observed to create a radical impact on the country to effectively manage and reduce their exposure to water scarcity (Alpine Space Programme, 2011). 3. Key Findings, Definition of the Project and Development of the Idea and Justification With reference to an in-depth analysis of the few major business industries, it has been ascertained that there are a number of critical factors that coerce the commercial organisations to increase their water consumption. Moreover, the analysis of different operational processes has also been determined to impose a major impact on the water resources along with reducing the wellbeing of humans and overall biodiversity condition of the country (Alpine Space Programme, 2011). A few of the major findings of the analysis have ben briefly stated in the following discussion. The operational functions that are usually conducted by the apparel and food processing industries are likely to use a large amount of water in order to produce their products. Moreover, the organisations from these particular business industries are likely implement different types of toxic chemicals and harmful elements that generally cause a reduction of the fresh water resources (Karabay & Kurumer, 2012; UN Water, 2006). Additionally, the construction and real-estate industries located in different parts of Austria are likely to use a large amount of freshwater from the resources which create a severe concern for the human beings along with other living creatures within the country. The organisations associated with construction industry are also likely to excavate a number of mines across the different locations, which bring a major challenge for the water resources to uphold the facet of freshwater (Martinuzzi & et. al., 2011). Moreover, the ineffective strategic measures or minimum effort associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) of organisations from these particular business industries can also be considered as a major factor that reduces the level of water resources across the different parts of Austria. In order to reduce the major impacts of these particular business industries, the following set of strategic measures which are presented in the form of a project would significantly enable the organisations to effectively manage and protect the challenging water resources in Austria (Martinuzzi & et. al, 2011). 3.1 Policy Development and Regulatory Compliance Developing a strong regulatory framework can be considered as the primary and most essential practice for the organisations to reduce the hazardous condition of the water resources located in Austria. The adequate set of policy frameworks regarding the protection of the water resources can significantly enable the construction and apparel manufacturing organisations to reduce their over-consumption of water which is required to produce different products or perform various business operations (Hwang, 2008). 3.2 Strategic Priority of Water Management Programs The water management programs or different practices to reduce the consumption level of water should be strategically prioritised by the apparel manufacturing and construction companies. The process would enable the operational functions of the manufacturing plants to make effective use of water. The strategic priority of water management process of the companies should also need to consider little or less use of toxic chemicals to minimise the risk of water pollution across the different parts of Austria. Moreover, the companies should also strategically focus on making continuous improvement of their waste management policies and practices to encourage the sustainable development of the scarce water resources of the country (Hwang, 2008). 3.3 Emphasising Continuous Development of CSR Activities In order to deal with the scarcity of water resources in Austria, the apparel manufacturing and construction companies would also need to continuously develop their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. The strategy would facilitate the companies to involve community members and perform different activities including reducing water consumption, waste management along with protecting the scarce water resources located in different parts. The practice would further enable the companies to frequently report their operational processes through ensuring that an effective and strong set of measures are deployed in manufacturing and other operational activities (Hwang, 2008). 3.4 Continuous Monitoring and Examining the Water Management Policies and Practices In order to deal with the potential challenges relating to water scarcity, the companies associated with construction and apparel manufacturing industries would also need to perform continuous monitoring process of their water management programs. In this regard, the companies should highly focus on monitoring the actual required amount of water in terms of producing products. Moreover, the monitoring process would also require to comprehend different other activities to reduce the use of water which can enable to aid the apparel and construction companies to minimise their use of water. The monitoring process should also focus on critically examining the efficacy of waste management functions of the production plants to reduce their impact on the natural environment and water as well (Fencl & et. al., 2012; Hwang, 2008). In addition to attaining the goal of reducing or emphasising effective use of the water resources, the apparel manufacturing and construction companies should also strategically reduce the impact of their operational activities on the natural resources. The continuous focus on minimising the operational impacts on natural resources can enable them to build a strong sustainable position even within the competitive business environment. 4. Reflective Analysis and Concluding Remarks With reference to the study of United Nations (UN), the governmental institutions in Austria have long been witnessed to conduct a number of programs and projects with the aim of reducing potential impact of water scarcity within a country. In keeping with the scenario prevailing in the last few decades, the public administrations of the country are significantly focused on conducting major projects relating to ‘Integrated water resource development and management’ programs to emphasise the effective use of water. However, the growing extent of industrialisation and urbanisation across the different parts of Austria has been highly observed to bring a major threat for the country to protect its major water resources. In this context, it is affirmed that the growing number of private companies from construction and apparel manufacturing business industries are the major concerning sectors to maintain the sustainable condition of the water resources. The ineffective or over-consumption of water for manufacturing different types of products and continuous use of toxic chemicals have been causing a major scarcity of the water resources in Austria. Therefore, the study has incorporated a major understanding with regard to the current scenario related to water resources in Austria. The study had also critically evaluated the current practices of the industrial sectors especially the construction and apparel manufacturing industries that have a major influence on the current water resources within the country. The extensive amount of ineffective usage and over-consumption of water by these particular business industries have been imposing a major risk for the country to protect the resources from a major scarcity. In order to minimise the impact of the textile and construction industries, a project has been developed which provides an effective set of practices that can enable the organisations from these industrial sectors to minimise their impact on the valuable water resources of Austria. In this regard, the adequate development of organisational policies and regulatory compliances can improve the water consumption level of the textile and construction industries. Moreover, considering the water management programs as a strategic priority along with an integrated part of the business can also enable the companies to reduce their impact on this indispensable resource. Within the developed project, the major role of CSR activities has been highlighted as an integrated constituent for the textile and construction companies to encourage an effective use of water resource and protect it from different future vulnerabilities. In addition to reducing the risk of potential water scarcity, the project also provides an effective practice of monitoring and examining the water management policies and initiatives of the companies. A continuous and detailed monitoring process of the organisations’ water management process would help the textile and construction companies to ensure the effective use of water resources for their range of operational functions. The critical examination of the companies’ own environmental regulatory processes can also provide a major support to them for improving their consumption level of water and protecting the resource from potential paucity. References Alpine Space Programme, 2011. Water Resources Management and Water Scarcity in the Alps. Recommendations for Water Resources Managers and Policy-Makers. [Online] Available at: http://www.alpine-space.eu/uploads/tx_txrunningprojects/Recommendations_EN.pdf [Accessed March 19, 2014]. European Commission, 2014. Water Statistics. Main Statistical Findings. [Online] Available at: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Water_statistics#Main_statistical_findings [Accessed March 19, 2014]. Fencl, A. & et. al., 2012. Water for Electricity: Resource Scarcity, Climate Change and Business in a Finite World. Stockholm Environment Institute, Project Report – 2012. [Online] Available at: http://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/sei-3c-2012-water-electricity.pdf [Accessed March 19, 2014]. Hwang, L., 2008. Water Management in China’s Apparel and Textile Factories. Business for Social Responsibility. [Online] Available at: https://www.bsr.org/reports/ChinaWater_IssueBrief_042908.pdf [Accessed March 19, 2014]. Karabay, G. & Kurumer, G., 2012. Managing Through Strategic Performance Management in Apparel Companies. Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe, Vol. 20, pp. 13-19. Lamport, C., 2000. Waste Management in Austria GHG Mitigation Effects Of The Landfill Regulation. Workshop on Best Practices in Policies and Measures, pp. 1-6. Martinuzzi, A. & et. al., 2011. CSR Activities and Impacts of the Construction Sector. RIMAS Working Papers, No. 1, pp. 1-28. Morrison, J. & et. al., 2009. Water Scarcity & Climate Change: Growing Risks for Businesses & Investors. A Cares Report. [Online] Available at: http://www.pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/02/full_report30.pdf [Accessed March 19, 2014]. UN Water, 2006. Coping with Scarcity. International Decade for Action Water for Life 2005-2015, pp. 1-12. Walter, T. & et. al., 2010. Improving Water Use Efficiency under Worsening Scarcity: Evidence from the Middle Olifants Sub-Basin in South Africa. ZEF-Discussion Papers on Development Policy No. 143. [Online] Available at: http://www.zef.de/fileadmin/webfiles/downloads/zef_dp/zef_dp_143.pdf [Accessed March 19, 2014]. Read More