The demand on the world’s freshwater resources is under increasing pressure. Water footprinting is a technique that can be used by businesses to understand the impact, and sustainability of their goods and services.
Rising world population levels and standards of living are increasing water use and the withdrawal of fresh water in unsustainable quantities, particularly for agriculture, is having devastating effect on freshwater ecosystems. The ‘embedded’ water that is used to grow and manufacture the everyday products that we use, such as food, drinks and clothes, can be referred to as ‘virtual’ water.
A water footprint is a measure of the total virtual water used to produce goods and services and when applied to a business the total virtual water that is used to produce their goods and/or services.
The magnitude of a water footprint needs to be put in the context of the local water supply. A high water footprint of a product produced in a region where there is abundant available water may have little impact and there will be no meaningful driver to reduce the water footprint. Conversely, a lower water footprint in a region where water scarcity is putting pressure on an ecosystem function, may be associated with large environmental impacts.
It is essential that there is sound water management to prioritise water use to provide for the basic needs of the population, to support essential ecosystem functions and services and to serve the needs of industry. Sustainable use of water can benefit individual businesses and society more widely.
Why is it important to businesses?
Sustainable use of water can benefit individual businesses and society more widely. Businesses need to minimise risk from:
• unsustainable supply chains (continuing and sustainable supply of water is essential for production of raw materials and for many business operations);
• loss of reputation (e.g. through perceived damage to the environment);
• increasing costs of raw materials and operations (water scarcity will increase costs through supply and demand relationships, and/or by regulation).
Measuring the water footprint of a product or business allows investigation of water use in relation to water availability, and environmental impacts of water use. This can be followed by risk mitigation strategies. For example, businesses could choose to source agricultural commodities from regions with adequate water supply.
ADAS Sustainability Consultants work with businesses to identify water use hotspots in supply chains and business operations and can recommend mitigation strategies.
For more information on ADAS Water Footprinting Services please contact Chris Fawcett on 01902 693479 or email Chris.Fawcett@adas.co.uk