The CSIR is working with business to develop a more accurate picture of the risks that are affecting – or will ultimately affect – their business over the long term. What makes our approach unique is that it marries scientific and management knowledge to identify key human-environment synergies of relevance to a business and prioritise areas of concern. Critical concerns and risks can then be integrated into scenarios developed with business and other relevant stakeholders towards a better understanding of the system in which they operate and connections within this system, improved risk management, as well as mitigation and resilience strategies. We are also working with business people to assess risk priorities and ground-truth the concept of resilience in the South African business environment.
Other related initiatives include:
Risk and vulnerability assessment : The South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas provides spatial and other global change sensitivity and vulnerability information on regional, national, provincial and municipal levels. This information is being used by companies to assess the potential business implications of global change projections.
Industrial water use and water footprinting analysis: This research is aimed at developing a better understanding of water user behaviour of industries and how water is used along an industry’s value chain. These analytical tools help to identify concealed losses in the system as well as assist in determining the responsiveness of industrial water demand to different water pricing strategies.
Sustainability assessment and reporting: The CSIR is also providing advice to companies seeking improvements in sustainability through the development of sustainability strategies, meeting sustainability standards and engaging stakeholders in the delivery and communication of these strategies.