Waterafdruk

Waterafdruk, also known as water footprint, is a measure of the volume of water used to produce a product or service, including the water used in the production process itself, as well as the water required to grow the raw materials. It is expressed in liters per unit of product or service, such as liters per kilogram of food or liters per liter of beverage.

The concept of water footprint was introduced by the Water Footprint Network, an international research collaboration that aims to raise awareness about the global water crisis and promote sustainable water management. The network calculates water footprints using a standardized methodology that takes into account factors such as the type of crop, the amount of water used in its production, and the efficiency of water use in different regions.

Water footprints can be categorized into three types: blue, green, and grey. Blue water refers to the volume of water that is directly extracted from surface or groundwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Green water refers to the volume of water that is evaporated from the land surface and returned to the atmosphere through the hydrological cycle, such as rainfall and transpiration. Grey water refers to the volume of water that is indirectly used in the production process, such as the water used to cool machinery or the water used to transport raw materials.

Water footprints are used to assess the sustainability of water use in various sectors, such as agriculture, industry, and urban water management. They can help identify areas where water use is inefficient or unsustainable, and provide guidance for developing strategies to reduce water consumption and improve water use efficiency. By understanding and managing water footprints, societies can work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.