It’s still not too late

but time is running out.

Vilokan’s industrial initiative to protect the world’s water.

We have developed an initiative to promote greater insight into, appreciation of and respect for the planet’s natural resources – a resistance movement against inertia, sluggishness and short-sightedness.

Based on facts and research, we can enable change, inspire progress and demonstrate financial benefits. Stewardship of the world’s water resources is a sustainability issue. Sustainability is the future and the future belongs to sustainable companies.

Water is one of the planetary boundaries, and the story of water has not yet reached its endpoint. And there are many of us who believe in a bright future. A future full of respect and appreciation for our blue planet. A future in which collaboration and a vision of a common world are valuable assets. A world where customers, consumers and employees expect, want and demand players to contribute as much as they can, and not get away with doing as little as possible.

Ett initiativ för insikt om, uppskattning av och respekt för naturens resurser. En motståndsrörelse mot inaktivitet, senfärdighet och kortsiktighet.

Our seven objectives

No more mindless consumption of water

Industries are paying too little for water – but for how much longer?

Increasing numbers of companies around the world are facing harsh reality when their local communities are unable or unwilling to supply industry with freshwater. Mining investments in Chile are being cancelled, soft drink bottling plants in India are shutting down, sports car manufacturing in Germany is being halted… cases like these continue to increase across many sectors in virtually every region of the world.

No more emissions

Zero discharge, closed loop systems.

The best way to protect the world’s water from effluent is to not release any wastewater into the environment. Sweden has long been a pioneer internationally in the field of water treatment and environmental technologies. Volvo and other major Swedish companies have assumed key leadership roles and shown that new ways of thinking can bring new opportunities.

Recycle and reuse water and other resources

When a circular economy is safer and more profitable

Industry can play a major role in protecting the blue planet. It has both the resources to do so and everything to gain from it. Like other raw materials, water is a natural resource. They are all finite and included in the planetary boundaries framework.

There is no waste, only valuable assets

Take care of water and find industrial gold.

All industrial processes that involve flows of fluids are faced with both cost and environmental challenges. However, this can be viewed in an entirely different way. By thinking like a gold panner standing in the middle of a stream.

Building new networks in industrial symbiosis

Companies are becoming part of each other’s business ecosystems.

As more and more companies are processing their effluent discharges and recovering raw materials from their production wastewater, it is becoming apparent that many have a lot to gain from connecting with others in the circular economy. Synergies can be generated by forming cross-sector networks that enable a more circular use of resources.

The world needs a clear water labelling system

Compare this with measurement of carbon emissions

Today, it is possible to measure and communicate the carbon footprint of a product, and electrical and electronic equipment is labelled with its energy efficiency rating. When it comes to water consumption, however, there is no single system of measurement and labelling for products. Furthermore, classifying the sustainability of water use can be more complicated. It is crucial to have a system to determine whether the water used in processes that generate wastewater is cleaned and reused or disposed of.

Achieve greater purpose in your professional life – get involved!

Industries are paying too little for water – but for how much longer?

Humanity has squandered opportunity after opportunity to avert climate change. When it comes to the world’s water crisis, it is not too late to act. But we cannot afford to wait...

The world’s industries can make a difference to the blue planet

Although 70% of the Earth is covered by water, only 2.5% of it is usable freshwater. What’s more, most of this freshwater is unavailable because it is frozen in glaciers or is so far underground that it is virtually inaccessible. This means that less than 1% of the world’s water is freshwater that is accessible to people, animals and plants. Precious drops that are vital for everything and everyone within the biosphere. A planetary boundary that must be respected.

As one of the largest consumers of water in the world, industry holds the power to make the biggest difference to the future of our planet. By implementing closed-loop systems where water is treated, reused and recycled, companies across a whole range of industry sectors can together change our way of thinking about this life-giving gift, which belongs to all of humanity.

An initiative to promote insight into, appreciation of and respect for the planet’s natural resources. A resistance movement against inertia, sluggishness and short-sightedness.

Billions of people are already affected by severe water scarcity.

Around 733 million people live in regions with critical levels of water stress, and the quality of the water that more than 3 billion people rely on is unknown. While the world population is increasing, the amount of freshwater available per capita has decreased by one-fifth in the last two decades.

Europe has just experienced its worst drought in 500 years, the American west coast is suffering severe water shortages, and the scale of the challenge in India is immense. Naturally, the impacts of water scarcity on societies also affect all people who are involved in industrial activities. Industry itself is faced with making pivotal decisions to prevent suffering losses from downtime, shortfalls in quality or ethical dilemmas that can affect employees, customers and local communities.