A new report highlights significant gaps in how Central and Eastern European (CEE) businesses are managing water-related risks, indicating that water scarcity is becoming a critical economic concern across the region. Findings from a survey involving 115 companies in several CEE nations reveal a low level of preparedness despite high exposure. The data indicates that while over half (52%) of surveyed businesses have experienced negative water impacts—such as operational disruptions and increased costs—in the last five years, a majority have not adequately assessed these risks.
Specifically, only 23% of CEE businesses have assessed water risks within their supply chains, revealing a major blind spot in corporate risk management. Furthermore, 53% of participants lack a dedicated water strategy. The outlook remains cautious, with 58% of businesses expecting water risks to affect their operations moderately or significantly over the next five years.
Drought and water scarcity are cited as the top anticipated threats, followed by flooding and extreme rainfall. Experts emphasize that water risks do not stop at company boundaries. While many businesses are starting to examine their direct operations, they are significantly less likely to assess impacts across their broader supply chains.
This gap is critical because a facility may operate efficiently, yet face severe production delays or cost increases if a key supplier or transport route is in a water-stressed region. The report urges action, noting that investment in water resilience is not keeping pace with risk. While recognizing the threat, nearly half of surveyed businesses do not plan to increase their water-related spending
Topics: #water #cee #businesses
