Core Water Metrics for Automotive Operations
The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) has released a new guidance document titled Core Water Metrics for Automotive Operations.
The Core Water Metrics guidance aims to streamline water reporting by outlining a common set of recommended metrics and definitions, aligned with established industry frameworks and reporting standards. The guidance was developed through SP’s Water Stewardship Work Group with active participation from global automotive OEMs and suppliers.
In 2024, SP engaged experts at The Water Council to conduct a landscape analysis of water metrics across fifteen commonly used sustainability reporting frameworks. That research helped identify and map key water metrics to recommend those which organizations in the automotive industry may wish to prioritize and incorporate into their own tracking and voluntary reporting schemes. The findings from this work directly informed the development of this new guidance.
This project builds on SP’s previously developed Water Stewardship Strategy Framework and Water Stewardship Action Matrix, which offer foundational guidance for companies seeking to advance water stewardship best practices. In addition, several of the metrics included in this guidance are also incorporated within SP’s voluntary Automotive Climate Action Questionnaire Framework, which is being used by several industry leaders to engage their suppliers on environmental performance expectations.
Guidance Document: Core Water Metrics
The Core Water Metrics guidance aims to streamline water reporting by outlining a common set of recommended metrics and definitions, aligned with established industry frameworks and reporting standards.
Summary Presentation on Core Water Metrics
This document provides a visual executive summary of the Core Water Metrics guidance well suited for presentation.
Acknowledgements: This guidance document was produced through a collaborative process by members of the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) Water Stewardship Work Group, co-chaired by Jennifer Heckman of DENSO and Tim Buisch of Ford Motor Company. Sincere thanks to Matt Howard of The Water Council for his prior work and recommendations to SP on water metrics mapping which served as the foundation for the development of this document.
Disclaimer: This document sets forth various findings based on information available to working group members at the time of issuance. These findings are not intended to set forth any industry rule, requirement or standard. Each Member should independently determine its own processes and practices, including, without limitation, levels, measurements, vendors, materials, equipment, energy sources, energy use, emissions, and recyclability. It is the responsibility of each individual company to be aware of national and local regulations that may require reporting of water-related information using specific methods and formats. This document should not be considered to contain legal advice. SP and its member companies make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document, and they will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The authors of this document reserve the right to change it at any time, as they deem appropriate within their sole discretion. SP and its member companies will not be liable for any losses, injuries or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this document.