The GIO on water was held around the world, with the intention of discussing strategies for improving the world's water systems. The final report - The IBM Global Innovation Outlook on Water - was released on March 16.

"The sessions revealed that society and business are facing some complex challenges when it comes to using and managing water resources on this planet. Without sufficient insight into factors affecting water supply and usage you increasingly run the risk of failure... Technology will play an important role in supplying water to the billions of future urban dwellers," said Sharon Nunes, vice president for Big Green Innovations at IBM.

Dow, who have their own 2015 Sustainability goals driving quality and access to drinking water, are focusing their technologies on the problems of fresh water scarcity. Speaking of the collaboration with IBM, Neil C Dawkins, vice president, Sustainability, said: "Participating in IBM's multi-stakeholder GIO on water certainly allowed us to...exchange ideas on how technology can held address the challenges we face." Dow have reduced wastewater globally by 38% despite production rising by 32% since 1994.