Overview of Corporate Water footprint Assessment

As already shared in the previous blog, water is an indispensable resource for life and industry alike. From space, Earth looks like a planet overflowing with water. But only about 0.007% is fresh and usable, and even that amount is under threat. Whether for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes, or other basic tasks, the average person in Europe uses around 144 liters of fresh water a day—but that’s just a fraction of their total usage. There’s an additional % “hidden” in what one consumes daily due to its indirect impact.?

As the global population grows and climate change exacerbates water scarcity, it becomes imperative for businesses to assess and manage their water usage. Quantifying companies' water footprint is a critical step towards water resilience. In this blog, we will delve into the methods, benefits, challenges, and standards associated with measuring a company's water footprint.?

?? Unlocking the Mystery of Water Footprints: Beyond Carbon Emissions?

There has been a lot of technical improvement over the years to understand and calculate carbon footprints, but let's dive deeper into the world of water footprints. While carbon emissions traverse borders with ease, the narrative of water footprints is woven intricately into the tapestry of regional landscapes.?

Unlike carbon, whose impacts on the atmosphere remain consistent regardless of origin, water's significance lies in its regional context. Quantifying a company's water footprint, therefore, demands a departure from traditional carbon accounting methodologies, navigating through a labyrinth of supply chains and geographical intricacies.?

Water, a precious resource, poses unique challenges in measurement. Its intrinsic link to both local supply dynamics and regional ecosystems calls for a bespoke approach in assessment. From agricultural practices to industrial processes, every drop counts in our journey towards sustainable resource management.?

?? Methods for quantifying Water Footprint?

To calculate and assess a corporate water footprint, ISO published ISO 14046: ‘Water footprint: Principles, requirements, and Guidelines’. This is an international standard that defines the principles, requirements, and guidelines for conducting an LCA-based water footprint for products, processes, or organizations.?

?? Key steps to quantify a corporate water footprint?

1. Define the goal of the assessment?

1. Define the scope of the assessment (direct or indirect impact)?

1. Validate the availability of company water use related data and identify gaps?

1. Define a calculation approach?

1. Build-up a tailored data model to fit-the-gaps?

1. Report: Impact & hotspot assessment?

?? Coherence between different sorts of water footprint accounts?

The water footprint of a/an...??

• one single ‘process step’ is the basic building block of all water footprint accounts;?
• intermediate or final ‘product’ (good or service) is the aggregate of the water; footprints of the various process steps relevant in the production of the product;??
• individual consumer is a function of the water footprints of the various products consumed by the consumer;?
• community of consumers is equal to the sum of the individual water footprints of the members of the community;?
• business is equal to the sum of the water footprints of the products that the producer or business delivers;?
• humanity is equal to the sum of the water footprints of all consumers of the world, which is equal to the sum of the water footprints of all final consumer goods and services consumed annually and equal to the sum of all water-consuming or polluting processes in the world.?

?? Benefits of Quantifying Water Footprint?

1. Resource efficiency: Understanding water usage enables companies to identify inefficiencies and implement strategies to optimize water consumption, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.?

2. Risk mitigation: Assessing water footprint helps businesses anticipate and mitigate risks associated with water scarcity, regulatory compliance, and reputational damage.?

3. Stakeholder engagement: Transparently reporting water footprint data demonstrates corporate responsibility and enhances stakeholder trust, attracting investors, customers, and partners committed to sustainability.?

? Challenges in Water Footprint Assessment?

1. Data availability & quality: Obtaining accurate data on water usage, especially from global supply chains, can be challenging due to inconsistencies in measurement methods and limited access to information.?

2. Complexity of assessment: Quantifying water footprint requires accounting for several factors, including regional water scarcity, seasonal variations, and different water sources (e.g., surface water, groundwater), making the assessment process complex.?

3. Integration with other metrics: Integrating water footprint assessment with existing sustainability metrics (e.g., carbon footprint) poses challenges due to differences in measurement units and methodologies.?

? Water footprint: A key driver for companies' sustainable success?

In conclusion, quantifying water footprints is essential for businesses committed to sustainability. While challenges exist, leveraging available methods and standards can help companies accurately assess their water usage, drive efficiency improvements, and contribute to the global effort towards water stewardship and conservation. By prioritizing water footprint measurement, businesses can not only mitigate risks but also seize opportunities for innovation and long-term growth in a water-constrained world.?

In future posts, we will delve deeper into this topic and explore methods for measuring water footprints thought the whole value chain. Stay tuned for more insights on how to quantify water-related risks, foster innovation, and ensure compliance for a sustainable and water-secure future.?

??Follow us to receive digests on new #WaterPerfomance insights into a future-proof #WaterResilience Transformation. In the following weeks, we will talk more in depth about how to calculate corporate water footprints and the key challenges to make the estimation of indirect impact of the value chain.?

Sources:??The Water Footprint Assessment Manual; Freshwater Crisis, National Geographic; Water use in Europe — Quantity and quality face big challenges, European Environmental Agency?