Ethical Responsibility of Companies in Preventing Water Pollution (PDF)

Name : Aqila Salsabila Putri Student ID: 014202200022 Topic : Ethical Dilemmas in International Business Practices Evaluating the Ethical Responsibility of Companies in Preventing and Addressing Water Pollution: A Case Study of the Textile Industry and H&M Introduction...

Name : Aqila Salsabila Putri Student ID: 014202200022 Topic : Ethical Dilemmas in International Business Practices Evaluating the Ethical Responsibility of Companies in Preventing and Addressing Water Pollution: A Case Study of the Textile Industry and H&M Introduction Water pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with industrial activities being a significant contributor. As the world grapples with water scarcity and deteriorating water quality, Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In this context, companies play a crucial role in shaping water stewardship practices and have a profound ethical responsibility to mitigate their impact on water resources. Water is a fundamental resource for life, ecosystems, and economic activities. However, inadequate sanitation and pollution severely undermine progress. While access to clean drinking water has improved, the lack of proper sanitation remains a critical issue. Over 4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services, leading to unnecessary disease and death. SDG 6 addresses these challenges by achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation by 2030. This essay argues that companies have an ethical responsibility to prevent and address water pollution resulting from their operations. By examining the textile industry and specifically the case of H&M, this paper explores how corporations can balance profitability with environmental stewardship, reduce their water footprint, and contribute to a sustainable future. Through the lens of ethical frameworks and practical case studies, the discussion will highlight the vital role of corporate accountability in achieving SDG 6 and promoting sustainable water management practices. Discussion Companies have an ethical duty to preserve the environment from the effects of their operations, particularly regarding water pollution. Ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism and deontological ethics underpin this responsibility. Utilitarianism, which emphasizes actions that maximize overall happiness and minimize harm, suggests that companies should mitigate the broader impact of their activities on water quality and ecosystems. Deontological ethics, advocating for duty-bound adherence to moral principles, implies that corporations must respect environmental regulations and human rights. The importance of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation, further highlights this ethical duty. For instance, companies are urged to efficiently manage water resources, protect freshwater bodies, and innovate solutions for underserved areas. Evidence of this can be seen in the implementation of comprehensive water stewardship plans by responsible companies, such as Nestlé’s water efficiency initiatives that significantly reduced water usage. Moreover, companies like Unilever engage with stakeholders to address water-related risks and comply with international guidelines like the Paris Agreement, which mandates reductions in environmental impact. These practices illustrate the critical role that corporate policies and ethical considerations play in preventing water pollution and promoting sustainable water management. Textile manufacturing significantly contributes to water pollution, posing substantial environmental challenges worldwide. Research indicates that textile factories release a complex mixture of pollutants into water bodies, including chemicals, dyes, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. The dyeing process is particularly notorious for its role in contaminating water, releasing toxic dyes and chemicals that are difficult to treat and remove. Case studies from countries with major textile industries, such as India and Bangladesh, illustrate the severe impact of textile production on local water quality. For instance, the Buriganga River in Bangladesh has become heavily polluted due to untreated wastewater discharge from nearby textile factories, leading to a decline in aquatic life and posing health risks to surrounding communities. The industry’s high water consumption exacerbates these issues, with thousands of liters required to produce a single pair of jeans or a cotton shirt. This massive water usage not only strains local water resources but also results in significant volumes of contaminated wastewater. Specific incidents, such as the contamination of the Noyyal River in India, highlight the detrimental consequences for aquatic ecosystems and human health. Communities living near textile factories face increased health risks, including skin diseases and gastrointestinal issues, due to exposure to polluted water. These examples underscore the urgent need for the textile industry to adopt more sustainable practices and stricter regulatory measures to mitigate its environmental impact. H&M has taken significant strides in mitigating water pollution through comprehensive water management and transparency initiatives, demonstrating its ethical responsibility to reduce environmental impacts. Their Water Strategy 2030 aims to enhance water efficiency and manage water resources in stressed basins, using the WWF’s Water Risk Filter to set targets for reducing freshwater extraction and usage by 30% against a 2022 baseline by 2030. This commitment is reinforced by H&M’s annual sustainability disclosure reports, which provide transparency and accountability to stakeholders. Notably, H&M has recycled 18,219,486 m3 of wastewater in the past year, significantly decreasing its dependence on freshwater sources. Furthermore, the company’s use of sustainable materials such as TencelTM lyocell, recycled wool, and organic linen reduces water usage and environmental impact, promoting more sustainable manufacturing practices. H&M’s collaboration with suppliers ensures adherence to strict water management guidelines, including regular monitoring and reporting. These initiatives underscore H&M's role in balancing profitability with environmental stewardship, aligning with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 6 to promote sustainable water management and sanitation. Conclusion This essay has evaluated the ethical responsibility of companies in preventing and addressing water pollution, focusing on the textile industry and H&M. Key points include the importance of ethical frameworks like utilitarianism and deontological ethics in guiding corporate behavior and the critical role of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) in promoting sustainable water management. The significant environmental challenges posed by textile manufacturing, including the release of pollutants and high water consumption, were highlighted through case studies from Bangladesh and India. H&M's initiatives, such as their Water Strategy 2030, wastewater recycling, and the use of sustainable materials, demonstrate how companies can balance profitability with environmental stewardship and make substantial contributions to mitigating water pollution. To underline the thesis, it is obvious that firms have a significant ethical obligation to remedy water pollution caused by their operations. Effective business strategy, openness, and stakeholder engagement are critical for minimizing environmental consequences and ensuring sustainable water management. Further research might look into the success of specific corporate activities across industries and geographies, providing useful insights into best practices for meeting SDG 6. Such research would aid in developing comprehensive plans to improve global water stewardship and ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. References: Akter, T., Protity, A. T., Shaha, M., Mamun, M. A., & Hashem, A. (2023). The Impact of Textile Dyes on the Environment (pp. 401–431). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3901-5_17 Aragaw, T. A., & Bogale, F. M. (2023). Role of coagulation/flocculation as a pretreatment option to reduce colloidal/bio-colloidal fouling in tertiary filtration of textile wastewater: A review and future outlooks. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1142227 Colson, D. 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