La huella hídrica es uno de los conceptos fundamentales en materia de sostenibilidad y de gestión del agua
The concept of water footprint is relatively recent, and is due to Arjen Hoekstra, who coined it in 2002. It is an indicator that defines the total volume of fresh water used in the production of goods/services by a company, or consumed by an individual/community. Hence it can be calculated for any group of consumers (individuals, families, cities) or producers (private or public).
Su cálculoIt includes the volume of water consumed, evaporated or contaminated throughout the supply chain. Good per unit of time for individuals/communities, good per unit produced by a company.
But the impacts of the water footprint also have a geopolitical reading. While developed countries typically have a larger water footprint than developing countries, economic globalization also manifests itself in increased pressure on water resources in exporting regions. Many countries import goods that require a high water content for their production. And they often lack adequate water and natural resource management policies. Furthermore, the effects of climate change increase the water stress that many countries already suffer.
By 2025, it is expected that 2/3 of the world's population (about 1.8 billion people) will live in an area of water stress. Data ofUNICEFThey point out that the lack of drinking water causes the death of 4,500 children per day in the world. Hence the importance of its measurement. The water footprint grows as it becomes more importantel papel del agua en la lucha contra el cambio climático.
How is the water footprint calculated?
La huella hídrica es unindicador multidimensionalque engloba:
- Por un lado, la suma de las distintas fuentes de agua (azul, verde y gris).
- On the other hand, the sum of the direct water footprint plus the indirect water footprint.
En primer lugar, se clasifican las fuentes del agua en:
- Azul:Volume of fresh water consumed from surface waters (rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) and underground waters (aquifers).
- Verde:Volume of water evaporated from water resources.
- Gris:Volume of contaminated water that is related to the production of goods and services.
Junto a lo anterior podemos aclarar tambien la diferencia entre:
- Water footprintDirecta: It is the use of water by the producer for the production of a good or service.
- TheIndirecta: The volume of water incorporated or contaminated in the production and distribution chain of a product/service.
What applications does the water footprint have?
Measuring the water footprintIt allows us to know in which products and production points we consume the most water, and where we can reduce its consumption. That is, it is a tool that will allow us to introduce efficiency improvements in water use, while at the same time raising awareness about our water consumption.
Daily water consumption and pollution and distribution problems throughout the entire area can also be related.cadena de valorof the goods/services. Its widespread use by individuals, communities and organizations constitutes an essential element for the efficiency of this precious resource. And therefore, the achievement ofdesarrollo sostenible.