Ecolab and CDP Launch 'Water Use Efficiency Index' at Davos with Beverage Sector Pilot

Ecolab Inc. and non-profit disclosure platform CDP have announced a strategic partnership at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos to launch the Water Use Efficiency Index. The new benchmark is designed to provide companies with a data-driven standard to measure, compare, and improve operational water performance.

The initiative is debuting with a specific pilot for the Beverage and Brew segment of the Food, Beverage and Agriculture industry, recognised as one of the most water-intensive sectors globally.

Benchmarking the Beverage Sector

The Index leverages a combined dataset drawn from CDP’s database of over 10,000 annual corporate water disclosures and Ecolab’s operational insights from millions of customer locations.

For the launch pilot, the partners have defined specific "Best-in-Class" efficiency ranges to help beverage manufacturers gauge their performance against industry leaders:

Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD):

Best-in-Class Location: 1.2–1.4 Litres of water / Litre of product.
Best-in-Class Enterprise: 1.5–1.8 L/L.

Brewing:

Best-in-Class Location: 1.4–2.0 Hectolitres of water / Hectolitres of product.
Best-in-Class Enterprise: 2.0–3.0 hL/hL.

Scarcity and AI Demand

The launch addresses urgent resource constraints. Global freshwater demand is projected to outstrip supply by 56% by 2030, a critical risk given that approximately 60% of global GDP relies on water access.

The report also highlights a new pressure point: the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). By 2030, AI-driven growth could require water volumes equivalent to the annual drinking water needs of the United States.

Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, framed the initiative as a catalyst for industrial transformation: “Water is the foundation of life and business. Every breakthrough depends on water, and the private sector has an incredible opportunity to reimagine how we manage this vital resource. Our partnership with CDP aims to be the catalyst for industrial water use transformation.”

Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, emphasised the economic imperative: “Water is a critical economic input. It is integral to growth and success across industries including AI, semiconductors, and manufacturing. As water stress intensifies, companies that understand, manage and improve their water use will be better positioned to protect margins, secure supply chains and attract capital.”

Operational Roadmap

Beyond benchmarking, the Index is intended to help companies build roadmaps for circular water management. Improving water efficiency is presented not just as a sustainability metric, but as a cost-control lever, noting that up to 75% of manufacturing energy is often tied to moving, heating, and treating water.