The aim of this paper is to provide an exploratory review of the extent to which some of the world’s leading companies are publicly addressing water stewardship as part of their corporate sustainability strategies. The paper begins with an outline of the growing importance of corporate sustainability and water stewardship. The paper draws its empirical material from the most recent information on sustainability posted on the top twelve ‘Consumer Superbrands’ corporate websites. The findings reveal that a majority of the selected companies address a number of elements concerning water stewardship as part of their more general approach to corporate sustainability. However corporate commitments to water stewardship can be interpreted as being driven as much by business imperatives as by any concerns for environmental sustainability or a desire to maintain the viability and integrity of natural ecosystems. More critically the authors suggest that the selected companies’ commitments to water stewardship are framed within existing business models focused on technological improvements in eco-efficiency and continuing economic growth. The paper provides an accessible review of the water stewardship issues being pursued by some of the world’s leading companies and as such it will interest academics, students, political commentators and business managers interested in water stewardship and corporate sustainability.
