Global footprint network is a research organization that is changing how the world manages its natural resources and responds to climate change. The water footprint network includes a calculator of water footprint mekonnen, 2012 for different countries, based on diet, gender, and income. Hoekstra from unescoihe as an alternative indicator of water use. The term water footprint is used to indicate the amount of fresh water that any given process or activity uses. This study quantifies and maps the water footprints of nations from both. Known as the water footprint network, a new footprint organisation is becoming the in vogue interventionist organisation. Water footprint network wfn the water footprint network is an international learning community nonprofit foundation under dutch law that serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, tools and innovations among governments, businesses and communities that are concerned about growing water scarcity and increasing water pollution levels and. The calculations are based on the water requirements per unit of product as in your country of residence. Hence, water footprint estimates refer to newly produced products. The water footprint of one single process step is the basic building block of all water footprint accounts see figure 3. Hoekstra is professor in water management at the university of twente, the netherlands. Chapagain university of the free state, south africa, member of the water footprint research alliance.
It will be a living document, requiring frequent updates and improvement. The water footprint concept can help answer this question, and more. Your household is a thirsty one, even by american standards. Our mission is to use the water footprint concept to promote the transition toward sustainable, fair and efficient use of fresh water resources worldwide. The accounts measure the ecological resource use and resource. It can be measured for a single process, such as growing rice, for a product, such as a pair of jeans, for the fuel we put in our car, or for an entire multinational company.
Fresh water biomass bioenergy natural resource use water footprint 1. Your personal water footprint is related to your consumption habits, lifestyle and country of residence. Water footprint simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Parallel to the study of the water footprint network, unep executed two other studies.
The water footprint of modern consumer society 2nd edition. How many planets does it take to support your lifestyle. The water footprint measures the amount of water used to produce each of the goods and services we use. Hoekstra is professor in water management at the university of twente, the netherlands, and cofounder of the water footprint network. The water footprint concept and waters grand environmental. Our partners are from 45 countries and represent the full range of stakeholders and sectors involved in finding solutions to water scarcity and pollution business and government, international organisations and civil society. The water footprint assessment manual water footprint network. Climate change and other stresses are limiting the availability of clean water and cheap energy. The water footprint measures the amount of water consumed by human activity as well as the assimilation capacity used the ability of a body of water to cleanse itself. The good news is, ther e are many ways to use less water and decrease your footprint. In this study, the water footprint was calculated using the wfn quick calculator for men and women eating vegetarian and meatbased diets. Water footprint manual university of twente research information. This water footprint may be a green water footprint rainwater consumed, blue water footprint volume of surface and groundwater consumed evaporated as a result of production of the product and gray water footprint meaning the volume of freshwater required to assimilate the load of.
Wwf and sabmiller are both pioneers in the use of water footprints to understand ecological and business risks. Despite criticisms, water footprint has certainly proven to be a useful concept and it is heartening to see the continued growth of water footprint research. Water footprints are composed of three separate calculations. Central to these challenges is the fact that humanity uses too much water. By becoming a partner, you will join other organisations from business, government, nonprofit and international organisations, academia and consultancies that support our vision and mission, and recognize the value of water footprint assessment in solving the worlds water crises. This manual has been prepared by the authors as requested by the water footprint network and serves as the water footprint guidelines promoted by the wfn. Widespread water scarcity, water pollution, and depletion of freshwater resources are among the grand environmental challenges of the 21st century related to water. Hoekstra from the unescoihe institute for water education, now at wwfuk. Hoekstra professor in water management university of twente the netherlands scientific director water footprint network. Growing and processing crops and livestock consumes large quantities of water.
The concept was refined and accounting methods were established with a series of publications from two lead authors a. Blue water footprint blue water footprint grey water footprint water consumption water pollution hoekstra, 2008 nonconsumptive water use return flow water withdrawal the traditional statistics on water use components of a water footprint the water footprint is an indicator of water use that looks at both direct and. The water footprint of a product is defined as the volume of freshwater used to produce the product 11. As creator of the water footprint concept, he introduced supplychain thinking in water management and was the first to point at the global dimension of wise water governance. The water footprint concept was introduced in 2002 by a. It is an essential naturalresourcefor basichumanneedssuchas food,drinking water and a healthy environment. Iso 14046 environmental management water footprint a. Unep and is a researcher at the water footprint network. The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. In the coming decades, humanity will face important challenges, not only to meet.
The water footprint assessment manual setting the global standard the water footprint assessment manual arjen y. We are a network of partner organisations, water footprint professionals and donors who support our mission. Water footprint network is a global network of expertise, innovation and exchange. Also included are posters, coloring books and comic books that you can download and print. Water footprint assessment, policy and practical measures in a specific. Blue water footprint blue water footprint grey water footprint water consumption water pollution hoekstra, 2008 nonconsumptive water use return flow water withdrawal the traditional statistics on water use components of a water footprint the water footprint is. May 14, 2017 the majority of the water footprint is from the beef, which has a water footprint of 15415lkg because of the water needed to grow the cows food. This handbook is a practical guide to develop a sustainable approach to water use that is based on practices of the international standard. Corporate water accounting an analysis of methods and tools for. Together with our partners, we focus on five core activities.
A clear description of the research question, rationale, accounting methodology as well as strengths and weaknesses of ecological, carbon, and water footprint is first provided. National footprint and biocapacity accounts nfas provide the core data required for all ecological footprint analysis worldwide. Water footprint matters and china appears to have recognised this and is looking to reduce its virtual water dependency. Aug 14, 2017 iso and itc have jointly published this handbook to help organizations carry out water footprint assessment according to the iso 14046.
The water footprint network was founded in 2008 to solv the worlds water crisis. This bibliography was generated on cite this for me on saturday, may 9, 2020. The water footprint network letter to the editor 15 th august 2009 the water footprint network. Professor in water management university of twente the netherlands. The principles of the life cycle assessment lca were applied by the former, while the water footprint network wfn guidelines were followed in the latter case. We are a dynamic, global network that drives innovation and inspires the changes we must all make to share fresh water fairly amongst all people to sustain. More than twenty conferences have been held in the western world since 2002 and. Cola it takes about 124 litres of water to make 335ml of coke not including the can. The use of recycled wood nullifies the attributed evaporation to roundwood production, since no new wood is produced. A comprehensive introduction to water footprints o 2011 arjen y. The amount of surface water and groundwater required evaporated or used directly to produce an item. Background materials can be freely downloaded from further, the. Footprint network and serves as the water footprint guidelines promoted by the wfn. Global footprint network bridges science, policy, and economics to change how the world manages its natural resources and creates a sustainable future.
It includes your tap water use and the virtual water used to produce. The water footprint of roundwood can effectively be reduced through recycling. Only air and soil emissions that impact water quality are included in the assessment, and not all air and soil emissions are included. The carbon footprint of water executive summary the decisions being made today regarding the management of water and energy resources will profoundly affect our economic and environmental future. Introduction fresh water is a prerequisite for life on earth. Understanding the carbon footprint of your water use. Mekonnen was an energy expert at the ministry of mines and energy in ethiopia, and is currently a phd student at the university of twente. A comprehensive introduction to water footprints pseau. Water footprint network, international water house, bezuidenhoutseweg 2, 2594 av the hague. It is not just the water we see from the tap, but the hidden water used to produce our food, energy, clothes, cars and other items. Your individual water footprint is equal to the water required to produce the goods and services consumed by you. The water footprint network is a platform for collaboration between companies, organizations and individuals to solve the worlds water crises by advancing fair and smart water use. The water footprint of wood for lumber, pulp, paper, fuel and. Water footprints were developed by the water footprint network to assess the amount of water in different types that is consumed in producing food and other products.
225 366 690 171 1074 768 786 603 505 1515 227 1038 307 556 927 1587 176 1436 825 561 891 823 17 969 879 130 822 713 158 1111 745 91 279 58 650 203 348 159