Vesijalanjäljen

Vesijalanjälki refers to the total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services. It encompasses three components: green water footprint, blue water footprint, and grey water footprint. The green water footprint represents the rainwater consumed by plants, primarily in agriculture. The blue water footprint accounts for the surface and groundwater consumed, such as irrigation water or water used in industrial processes. The grey water footprint measures the volume of freshwater required to assimilate pollutants, ensuring that the concentration of pollutants in the receiving water body remains below agreed-upon water quality standards.

Understanding one's water footprint is crucial for sustainable water management. High water footprints can strain local water resources, especially in water-scarce regions, and contribute to environmental degradation. Actions to reduce a water footprint can include adopting water-efficient agricultural practices, improving industrial water use efficiency, and reducing consumption of water-intensive products. Consumer choices, such as opting for products with lower water footprints or reducing meat consumption, can also make a significant difference.

Globally, agriculture accounts for the largest share of the water footprint, followed by industry and domestic water use. Different products and services have vastly different water footprints. For example, producing a kilogram of beef requires significantly more water than producing a kilogram of vegetables. Awareness of these differences helps individuals and organizations make more informed decisions about their water consumption and its environmental impact. Many tools and calculators are available to help individuals and organizations estimate their water footprint.