Business · Companies · 16 hrs ago
Koç Holding targets 85% cut in freshwater use by 2040
Koç Holding has set a goal to cut freshwater withdrawals by 85% by 2040, compared with its 2025 baseline.
The Turkish conglomerate announced the target at the UN climate conference COP31.
The goal covers industrial sites in energy, automotive and durable goods, which account for 96% of the group’s freshwater footprint.
The company says water shortages are putting pressure on farming, cities and industry, and that access to water increasingly affects business and investment decisions.
Koç says it has already reduced freshwater withdrawals by 17% over the past three years.
It plans to improve water efficiency, use technology and innovation, and work with partners across its value chain.
The company has joined the Water Resilience Coalition to support cooperation on protecting water resources.
Koç Holding said it aims to reduce operational freshwater withdrawals by 85% by 2040, compared with a 2025 baseline.
The target covers industrial facilities in its energy, automotive and durable consumer goods sectors, which account for 96% of its freshwater footprint.
CEO Levent Çakıroğlu said the goal is part of the group’s long-term growth strategy.
Koç Holding reported that it had cut freshwater withdrawals by 17% over the previous three years.
The company also announced that it had joined the Water Resilience Coalition.
- Who
- Koç Holding, a Turkish business group, announced the target.
- What
- It aims to cut operational freshwater withdrawals by 85% by 2040, against a 2025 baseline.
- When
- The announcement was made on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- At a panel held as part of the UN climate conference COP31 in Türkiye.
- Why
- The company said water is increasingly shaping production, investment and growth decisions, and that managing water responsibly is part of its long-term strategy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Koç Holding began supporting the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate initiative.
Koç Holding reduced its freshwater withdrawals by 17%.
Koç Holding announced its 2040 freshwater reduction target at a COP31 panel and said it had joined the Water Resilience Coalition.
- Reduction target
- 85% by 2040
- Baseline year
- 2025
- Target scope
- Industrial facilities in energy, automotive and durable consumer goods
- Share of freshwater footprint covered
- 96%
- Previous reduction
- 17% over the previous three years
- Coalition membership
- Water Resilience Coalition
2 sources
What people are saying
Water will be as decisive as energy for long-term competitiveness.
By 2040, we aim to reduce freshwater withdrawals in our operations by 85% compared with the 2025 baseline.
First, we will increase water efficiency in our operations.