A new global assessment paints a worrying picture: by the 2050s, the number of water-scarce regions is expected to triple due to rising nitrogen pollution. Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural inputs are fuelling harmful algae blooms and hypoxia, reducing the usability of water for drinking and industrial purposes. As the largest consumer of freshwater, agriculture plays a central role in this crisis, but it also holds the key to the solution. Through sustainable farming practices and innovative water management strategies, the food and beverage industry can reduce its environmental impact.
Global focus
Clean water at risk: the fight against nutrient pollution
Reducing nitrogen and phosphorus in water
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Food & beverages (all industries)
AT A GLANCE
By 2050, nitrogen pollution could triple water-scarce regions, threatening industries reliant on clean water.
Sustainable farming practices, advanced water management, and partnerships reduce water pollution, safeguarding resources.
Aligning with pollution reduction targets enhances compliance, resilience, and competitive advantage while securing water for the future.
Sustainable farming practices
Agriculture is responsible for 50% of nitrate and 25% of phosphorus pollution in water bodies, making sustainable farming a critical intervention. Practices like optimised fertiliser use and precision agriculture can significantly reduce nutrient runoff. The European Union's Nitrates Directive sets guidelines for minimising agricultural pollution, including precise timing of fertiliser applications to maximise crop uptake and reduce losses to water systems. By embracing these strategies, the sector can mitigate its environmental impact while enhancing soil health and crop yields.
Advanced water management
The food and beverage industry is improving water management to address risks. Danone works with farmers on nutrient plans to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, while Cargill's RegenConnect enrols farmers in regenerative practices like cover cropping to sequester carbon and restore water. By making regenerative agriculture financially viable for farmers, these initiatives demonstrate how supply chain-wide initiatives can be scalable.
Collaborative efforts
Collaboration and targeted actions can yield tangible environmental benefits while ensuring supply chain resilience. Coca-Cola and Nestlé partner with local organisations and its supply chain relationships to implement watershed protection and promote sustainable soil practices. PepsiCo trains and works directly with farmers to adopt precision agriculture and cover cropping to reduce nutrient losses.
Pollution reduction targets
Failing to tackle nutrient pollution risks escalating costs, stricter regulations, and supply chain disruptions for businesses reliant on clean water. Organisations aligning with pollution reduction targets, like the UK’s 40% cut by 2037, can improve compliance, stakeholder trust, and operational resilience. Tools like water quality dilution indicators equip leaders with actionable insights, making sustainable water management a smart strategy for long-term growth and competitive advantage.
FURTHER READING
- European Commission – Nitrates Directive (European Commission)
- Why clean water tech is essential (World Economic Forum)
- Hydro-political risk (ScienceDirect)