LAS VEGAS, Feb. 22, 2023 — MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) (“MGM Resorts” or the “Company”) today announced it endorsed the United Nations’ CEO Water Mandate – a global initiative and coalition of hundreds of major companies making bold commitments to address water crises and challenges. MGM Resorts is the first gaming company to endorse the mandate.
“Given our environmental conditions, Las Vegas has long been innovative it its approach to water. We are fortunate to do business in a place that has a world class water management system and hope to help others learn from successes here,” said MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle. “The ongoing drought and effects of climate change in the Western U.S. are a wake-up call that we need to do more, and to that end—we’re proud to endorse the CEO Water Mandate to not only share what we’ve learned in Las Vegas, but also help strengthen our commitments.”
One of the world’s most ambitious platforms for corporate water stewardship, the CEO Water Mandate mobilizes business leaders to commit to meaningful action across six key elements and report annually on their progress. Companies also identify and reduce critical water risks to their businesses, seize water-related opportunities, and contribute to water security and UN Sustainable Development Goals. The CEO Water Mandate is endorsed by more than 230 companies spanning a range of industries and regions around the world.
MGM Resorts Water Stewardship and Sustainability Efforts
From the iconic Bellagio Fountains to landscaping and pools, water management is a key component of MGM Resorts’ overall social impact and sustainability efforts. In 2022, MGM Resorts finalized its Global Water Policy, an outline of how water will be resourced and managed across all global operations. Between 2007 and 2021, MGM Resorts reduced water use by 37% and avoided use of 5.6 billion gallons through conservation and water-efficient building and design initiatives.
Notable water-saving efforts at MGM Resorts include:
- Replacing over 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas
- Installing water-efficient fixtures and equipment in guest rooms, kitchens and laundry facilities
- Use of an onsite well and pool drainage from the ‘O’ Theater as source water for Lake Bellagio
- Enhancing the efficiency of Las Vegas cooling tower systems to reduce evaporative loss
MGM Resorts has recently been recognized as a leader in sustainability, securing a place on global environmental non-profit CDP’s annual A-List of leaders in corporate transparency and performance on climate change and water security. The Company also received special accreditation to attend the 2023 UN Water Conference in March 2023.
More information about the Company’s commitment to protecting the planet can be found here.
About CEO Water Mandate
The CEO Water Mandate is a special initiative established in 2007 by the UN Secretary-General and the UN Global Compact (UNGC) in partnership with the Pacific Institute. With over 230 endorsing companies, the Mandate empowers the global private sector to share good practices and forge partnerships to address urgent water challenges related to scarcity, quality, governance and access to water and sanitation. Companies that endorse the Mandate agree to continuous improvement in six core areas of their water stewardship practice: Direct Operations, Supply Chain & Watershed Management, Collective Action, Public Policy, Community Engagement, and Transparency.
