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The Water Footprint

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There has always been a lot of discussion about reducing the carboon footprint in order to preserve our planet.

What is new, is the concept of water footprint.

The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business.

The Global Water Footprint Standard developed through a joint effort of the Water Footprint Network, its 130 partners, and scientists of the University of Twente in the Netherlands has garnered international support from major companies, policymakers, NGOs and scientists as an important step toward solving the world’s ever increasing water problems.

The Global Water Footprint Standard comes at a time when companies in all sectors are awakening to the risk that water scarcity poses to their bottom lines and reputations. This work helps companies understand their dependency and impact on water resources, and offers guidance on response strategies that conserve water for industry, communities and nature.

The interest in the water footprint is rooted in the recognition that human impacts on freshwater systems can ultimately be linked to human consumption, and that issues like water shortages and pollution can be better understood and addressed by considering production and supply chains as a whole.

Water problems are often closely tied to the structure of the global economy. Many countries have significantly externalised their water footprint, importing water-intensive goods from elsewhere. This puts pressure on the water resources in the exporting regions, where too often mechanisms for wise water governance and conservation are lacking. Not only governments, but also consumers, businesses and civil society communities can play a role in achieving a better management of water resources.

While water looks to be the next big environmental issue to capture the public imagination and concern, this will only be another stepping stone to a more holistic view and understanding of our total impact upon the environment and businesses embracing that approach now are set to be the big beneficiaries tomorrow.

Send your feedback to sharad@go-green.ae

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