| Popis: |
Portugal has abundant nascent mineral water, but the extraction, bottling, transport, and disposal of bottled water have significant environmental impacts due to plastic use. The research aims to determine if the Portuguese bottled water industry implements sustainability and environmental resilience practices on it chain value. The methodology includes bibliographic research and interviews with industry technicians, focusing on 19 leading brands to formulate variables and indicators based on hypotheses. The identified problem is the potential noncompliance of the Portuguese bottled water industry with SDG goals, which could result in reduced competitiveness among environmentally conscious consumers. The sales and production of natural mineral and spring water in Portugal, reached 224 million euros and over 1,490 million liters respectively in 2019. The bottled water sector in Portugal is strictly regulated for product safety and quality, but there are initiatives promoting tap water consumption and reducing packaging waste. The importance of analyzing the industry's practices is emphasized to identify strengths and weaknesses in terms of sustainability and environmental resilience, leading to targeted solutions to enhance environmental performance and promote long-term sustainability. Mineral water companies can contribute to the SDGs by promoting sustainable production, reducing water and energy consumption, and implementing low-carbon mobility plans, among other activities. It is crucial to prioritize prevention over recovery to reinforce resilience and manage risks effectively. Regulations and laws must be examined to identify relevant environmental issues and assess how they integrate sustainability and resilience. Companies should invest in infrastructure, collect real-time data, and implement action plans and protocols to prevent new risks. The dissemination of sustainability guides and self-monitoring of water quality are essential, and stakeholder involvement is necessary for resilience. Complementary studies are suggested, including a consumer survey and a comparative study between mineral water companies in Portugal and other countries. |
