Water scarcity, with global warming and rising food prices, is one of the most pressing sustainable development problems threatening global economic growth and stability.

Business, trade and investment are essential pillars for prosperity and peace. As recognized by the United Nations when setting up the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate responsibility initiative, the private sector’s collaboration is mandatory in order to achieve the Millennium goals.

But in many areas, business is too often linked with serious dilemmas – such as exploitative practices, corruption, income equality or environmental degradations. For example, the agriculture industry, important consumer of water and first industry in Africa, one of the regions most affected by droughts, will have to consider the problem of water scarcity seriously as it not only poses an ethical problem to operate in a region where people lack access to drinking water, but also poses a clear threat to its day to day operations.

This master thesis explores the drivers for corporations to embrace corporate responsibility and adopt sustainable business practices, in all sense of the word, including the responsibility of investors, ultimate owners, so as not only limit the negative impact of their operation to society but also contribute to the solutions and maintain their “licence to operate”.

Sustainable development issues represent tremendous risks for corporations and investors but also wonderful opportunities for those who will contribute to (and profit from…!) the solutions.

Anne Desgagnés