Water footprint
Global pressure on freshwater resources is increasing, mainly through changes in global population and income levels, which have led to an increase in demand for water intensive products such as meat, sugar and cotton. Similarly, changes in precipitation patterns as a result of global climate change are adding to the pressure on global water resources. Therefore, it is vital that we understand the link between food and fibre production, the products we consume and the impact that their production has on increasingly scarce water resources in numerous areas of the world.
What is a water footprint?
A water footprint is a measure of the total water used to produce goods and services that a particular individual, business or nation uses. It is made up of two components: direct water use and indirect use. The indirect water use is measured as ‘virtual’ water (the volume of water required to produce a certain product). It includes use of blue water (rivers, lakes, aquifers), green water (rainfall in crop growth), and grey water (water polluted after agricultural, industrial and household use).
While the water footprint tells us how much water is used, the impact of an increase or decrease in a water footprint depends entirely on where water is taken from and when. The increase of a water footprint in an area where water is plentiful is unlikely to have an adverse effect on society or the environment, but an increase in an area already experiencing water scarcity could result in serious problems, such as the drying up of rivers, the destruction of habitats and livelihoods, and the extinction of species – in addition to affecting agricultural prices, supplies and local economies.
Facts and figures
- The production of 1kg of beef requires 10-20,000 litres of water.
- To produce one cup of black coffee without sugar we need 140 litres of water.
- The average annual water footprint of China is 950 cubic metres per person. Only about 8% of the Chinese water footprint is related to the consumption of imported products.
- In the UK, the average annual water footprint is 1,695 cubic metres per person. About 62% of the UK water footprint is related to the consumption of imported products.
- The water footprint for producing the cotton required by the average person in the UK is 210 litres per day, whereas the average daily direct use of water in the house is only 150 litres per person.
- The average annual water footprint of a person in the US is 2,900 cubic metres.
What is WWF doing?
Water footprinting is a relatively new idea and we are working globally on methods to help people understand and make use of the concept and to manage and reduce water footprints where they matter.
WWF engages with numerous businesses, such as M&S and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, to estimate and assess their water footprint impacts. And we work with academics, other NGOs, business leaders and government representatives through roundtables such as the Water Footprint Working Group.
We also fund projects that involve water footprint issues, such as our ‘Thirsty Crops’ work in India and Pakistan and our water security programme which focuses on river flows and policies to better manage water resources.