Key members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have identified that many businesses have operations, employees, contractors and customers in regions lacking access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The economic, social and health consequences of this situation cause sickness and death, impair productivity and restrict markets for some products and services. ERM (a founding member of the WBCSD) has signed the WBCSD pledge and affirmed its commitment to looking at the practical actions it can take to ensure its operations and sites within its control have access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation.

“We must remember that billions of people do not have access to safe drinking water or adequate sanitation,” said ERM CEO, John Alexander. “At ERM, we are committed to ensuring that any person that works for us has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at the workplaces within our control. This will not happen overnight, but marks a firm commitment to making sure this is happening across the company within the next three years .”

The United Nations describes World Toilet Day as a day to take action. It is a day to raise awareness about all people who do not have access to a toilet - despite the human right to water and sanitation. It is coordinated by UN-Water in collaboration with Governments and relevant stakeholders, with events held around the world each year.