Asset manager RLAM demands water company action over antibiotic resistance

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), a prominent fund management group managing £169bn in assets, is urging the UK s regulated water companies to address the risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by improving wastewater treatment. This call comes amidst intense scrutiny of the water industry s finances, governance, and performance, with Thames Water on the verge of collapse. The issue of AMR has gained global attention, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) labeling it as one of the 10 most pressing health threats. It is estimated that AMR could result in 10 million lives lost annually by 2050. The UK s water companies are currently in a contentious relationship with Ofwat, the industry watchdog, over their spending plans for the next five-year regulatory period. Carlota Garcia-Manas, RLAM s head of climate transition and ESG engagement, emphasized the potential role of wastewater treatment plants in mitigating the spread of AMR. She noted that while these facilities have seen technological advancements, they were not originally designed with AMR in mind. RLAM remains committed to engaging with water companies to ensure the adoption of best practices and the crucial role they can play in mitigating the spread of AMR and ensuring the safety of water resources. The call from RLAM highlights the growing concern over AMR s impact on global health and the need for water companies to take action to address this issue. The controversy surrounding water quality in rivers has re-emerged as a subject of national debate, with investors like RLAM hoping to raise awareness of AMR and other related issues.

Source: news.sky.com
Published on 2024-09-18