Water Use | Methodology | Protein Producer Index

Water Use & Scarcity

Assessing Company Management and Performance on Water Use and Scarcity

KPI	Protein Scope	Operational Scope	Sub-KPIs and Best Practice Criteria
Water use & scarcity in facilities	All proteins	Slaughter, Processing	Monitoring water consumption and withdrawals • The company has conducted a risk assessment to identify processing facilities operating in regions of water stress and discloses those locations. • The company provides a description of water-saving measures and discloses water consumption. Target to reduce water consumption and withdrawals • The company has time-bound targets to reduce absolute water consumption and withdrawals at facilities. Disclosure & performance of water risks in facilities • The company discloses consumption and withdrawals by source and water stress level, ensuring data is audited by a third party. • The company discloses water-related operating (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX).
Water use & scarcity in feed farming	All proteins	Feed	Supplier engagement in water use in feed farming • The company requires feed suppliers and farmers to have water use reduction targets, and discloses guidance and support given to suppliers. Disclosure of water risks in feed farming • The company discloses feed water intensity and the proportion of feed sourced from water-stressed areas. • The company discloses investment in sustainable feed production.
Water use & scarcity in animal farming	All proteins	Farm	Supplier engagement in water use in animal farming • The company discloses the proportion of animal protein commodities produced in or sourced from water-stressed areas. • The company has a target to reduce water consumption in animal farming and discloses progress against the target. • The company discloses guidance and support provided to suppliers on water use. Disclosure of water risks in animal farming • The company has established a partnership with a third party to inform sourcing and farming strategies, including water use.

KPI

Protein Scope

Operational Scope

Sub-KPIs and Best Practice Criteria

Water use & scarcity in facilities

All proteins

Slaughter,

Processing

Monitoring water consumption and withdrawals

• The company has conducted a risk assessment to identify processing facilities operating in regions of water stress and discloses those locations.

• The company provides a description of water-saving measures and discloses water consumption.

Target to reduce water consumption and withdrawals

• The company has time-bound targets to reduce absolute water consumption and withdrawals at facilities.

Disclosure & performance of water risks in facilities

• The company discloses consumption and withdrawals by source and water stress level, ensuring data is audited by a third party.

• The company discloses water-related operating (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX).

Water use & scarcity in feed farming

All proteins

Feed

Supplier engagement in water use in feed farming

• The company requires feed suppliers and farmers to have water use reduction targets, and discloses guidance and support given to suppliers.

Disclosure of water risks in feed farming

• The company discloses feed water intensity and the proportion of feed sourced from water-stressed areas.

• The company discloses investment in sustainable feed production.

Water use & scarcity in animal farming

All proteins

Farm

Supplier engagement in water use in animal farming

• The company discloses the proportion of animal protein commodities produced in or sourced from water-stressed areas.

• The company has a target to reduce water consumption in animal farming and discloses progress against the target.

• The company discloses guidance and support provided to suppliers on water use.

Disclosure of water risks in animal farming

• The company has established a partnership with a third party to inform sourcing and farming strategies, including water use.

Note: There were no changes between the 2023 and 2024 iterations of the methodology.

Water Use & Scarcity Aligned Subject-matter Experts & Frameworks

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