How can you manage your supply chain's water footprint?

Water footprint is a measure of the total amount of water used to produce goods/services. Kind of the water equivalent of a carbon footprint. It quantifies the amount of water used and polluted throughout the production process of a product or service, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, use, and disposal. Blue Water Footprint for example represents the consumption of surface and groundwater resources. Freshwater used for irrigation, manufacturing, or other processes and not returned to its source. Grey Water Footprint on the other hand quantifies the amount of freshwater required to dilute pollutants to meet specific quality. Water footprint provide an understanding of water intensity of activities and products.

Including detailed metrics of the indices of the water footprint in sustainability reports further improves the reliability of the organization. It proves the level of commitment to sustainable practices the organization holds to onlookers and researchers, simultaneously improving the analyses conducted on the operations of the organization.

Expanding the concept of a water footprint is vital in addressing the global water crisis. Beyond individual actions, considering embedded water in products and integrating water footprint assessments into business and policy decisions are crucial steps. A global perspective promotes international collaboration, recognizing the shared responsibility in managing water resources sustainably. In essence, a comprehensive approach is necessary for a more sustainable and equitable water future amid increasing water scarcity and environmental challenges.

Measuring the water footprint of a supply chain involves defining its scope, collecting water usage and pollution data, and categorizing it into blue, green, and grey footprints. Utilizing frameworks like the Water Footprint Network's methodology, the data is analyzed to calculate the total footprint. Standards such as ISO 14046 offer guidelines for consistency and credibility. Identifying high-impact areas allows targeting improvements. Continuous monitoring and water-saving strategies are essential for footprint reduction. Transparent reporting using these standards and frameworks demonstrates a company's commitment to sustainable water management, enabling informed business decisions and environmental impact reduction.

Clearly outline the boundaries of your supply chain. Identify the stages, activities, and locations you want to include in the Water footprint assessment. Collect data on water usage at each stage of the supply chain. This includes direct water use in production processes and indirect water use embedded in purchased goods and services. Differentiate between green (rainwater), blue (surface and groundwater), and grey (polluted water) water sources. This helps in understanding the environmental impact more accurately. Compare your water footprint with industry benchmarks or standards. This helps identify areas for improvement and sets targets for reducing water use.

Pinpoint activities or processes with the highest water footprint. These are your hotspots. Prioritize hotspots based on the volume of water consumed and their environmental impact.

First of all, the availability and the demand of water need to be identified and assessed respectively. Similarly the other sources to fulfil the demand should be considered.

1. Develop a Water Management Strategy 2. Set Clear and Measurable Targets 3. Take Concrete and Consistent Actions 4. Engage with Supply Chain Actors and Stakeholders 5. Report and Disclose

Integrate water-saving measures into relevant processes or activities. Monitor the effectiveness of implemented solutions and adjust as needed. Continuous Monitoring and Reporting: Establish a system for ongoing monitoring of water usage. Regularly report progress, improvements, and any new hotspots that may emerge.

One insight to retain while considering this aspect of delivering on water footprint reports is to stay genuine in terms of the data provided. Even if the current figures don't look outwardly promising, it is essential for organizations to be mindful of the information they publish. The reports and summaries an organization publishes for the world to see mark the identity of the organization. With varied forms of media in the modern world come varied and transformative ways to manipulate data and reports to portray organizations in a certain limelight (overtly positive as well as negative) It is essential to provide no scope for media sources to manipulate the data you publish into a negative image for the organization.

To effectively manage a supply chain's water footprint, adopt innovative data-driven strategies like using big data & IoT for real-time water use monitoring, engaging in benchmarking against industry standards, & analyzing the virtual trade water content in products. Implement circular economy principles with closed-loop water recycling, & explore sustainable desalination technologies for water-scarce areas. Encourage rainwater harvesting, aim for water stewardship certifications like Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard, & form partnerships focused on water sustainability. Additionally, redesign the supply chain to be closer to sustainable water sources & promote water conservation through educational programs & community engagement.