Water footprint: methodologies and a case study for assessing the impacts of water use

The methodologies, approaches and indicators for assessing the impacts of freshwater usage are still evolving. The development of the water footprint concept has been an important step in this direction but the existing methodologies mainly assess the quantity of water used rather than the related impacts. Although there is a recognised need to consider the latter, particularly on a life cycle basis, the difficulty is that there are little or no reliable data on water usage in life cycle databases; furthermore, there is no agreed life cycle impact assessment method for estimating impacts related to freshwater use. However, there have been some methodological developments which propose methods for inventory modelling and impact assessment for water use in life cycle assessment. This paper reviews some of these approaches and discusses their strengths and limitations through a case study, which considers the impacts of freshwater consumption from corn-derived ethanol produced in 12 different countries. The results show a huge variation in the results between different methods and demonstrate the need for a standardised methodology for assessing the impacts of water use on a life cycle basis. Specific recommendations for further research in this field have been made accordingly.     

Environmental performance optimization using process water integration and Sustainable Process Index

Water integration studies have focused on reducing the amount of water used by a process on the assumption that environmental impact is reduced through efficient water reuse. However, the environmental impact of retrofitting the water network through the installation of pumps and pipes and energy for their utilization which may even lead to a network with a higher environmental cost as measured using a more comprehensive metric, is rarely, if at all, considered. Using the Sustainable Process Index (SPI) as a means of measuring environmental impact, this study addresses the question on water integration and environmental impact and shows that there is a balance that must be struck between water savings and water network modifications.     

Corporate social responsibility: sustainable water use

Freshwater scarcity is no longer limited to sub-Saharan developing countries; also in Western society, access to unlimited amounts of freshwater is not assured at all times. It has been argued - and laid down in many national legal systems - that access to freshwater is a basic human right. What if corporate freshwater use threatens to interfere with this human right? The main focus of the article is to explore the role of today’s companies in relation to freshwater. A number of tools have been developed to attend to the necessity to reduce corporate use of freshwater. The article discusses specialised water reporting instruments such as the 2007 Global Water Tool and the ‘water footprint’ calculation method. In addition, attention is paid to a CERES report (2010) revealing that the majority of the 100 world’s leading companies in water-intensive industries still has weak management and disclosures of water-related risks and opportunities. To obtain concrete information about corporate water strategies and practices, an explorative analysis was conducted on 20 Dutch multinational companies. The article highlights various innovative practices. In sum, it is demonstrated that companies are expected to bear responsibility for their impact on water resources, in particular when it influences public access to water in areas with freshwater scarcity and/or weak government. Notwithstanding the critical conclusions of the CERES report, it is interesting to see an evolution in corporate research concerning sustainable water use and the development of greener products and greener ways of production.     

The relationship between economic and carbon footprint changes in EU: The achievements of the EU sustainable consumption and production policy implementation

The Sustainable Consumption and Production policy is a key objective in the renewed European Union (EU) Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS). EU countries implement the targets of Sustainable Consumption and Production policy at different a level. Nevertheless, SDS targets are concerned more with production than consumption side. In addition, analysis of the carbon footprint data, which was supplied by the Global Footprint Network, showed that in all EU countries consumption-based carbon footprint caught-up and exceeded the level of production-based carbon (except Denmark and Estonia) during 1993–2010 period. The significant absolute decoupling in terms of carbon footprint from production-based perspective was observed in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, Poland, United Kingdom and Germany, meanwhile from consumption-based perspective only in Denmark, Estonia and Germany. Moreover in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia the consumption-based carbon footprint grew faster than economy in general. Results imply that EU should put more focus on consumption side in terms of Sustainable Consumption and Production policy and measures taken. A commitment to reduce the environmental impact from consumption-based perspective should be more addressed covering values and lifestyles.     

基于生态系统供给及净化服务功能的贵州省水生态占用研究

针对传统及现有水生态足迹理论及其模型存在的缺陷与不足,本文提出了基于生态系统供给及净化服务功能的贵州省水生态占用概念与模型,将其划分为生物生产和非生物生产的水生态占用两部分,建立水产品、水资源、水环境3类账户,并在此基础上以2000—2014年的贵州省为例进行计算分析,结果表明:(1)水产品账户中,贵州省水产品消费的水生态占用总体呈上升趋势,水生态承载力波动变化较小,水产品消费呈生态赤字状态,且其生态压力较大;(2)水资源账户中,贵州省淡水资源的水生态占用整体呈逐渐上升趋势,水生态承载力则呈明显波动的趋势,且变化幅度较大,淡水资源消费处于生态盈余状态,且其与水生态承载力的变化态势一致,淡水资源消费的生态压力较小;(3)水环境账户中,水环境生态压力主要来源于氮污染,2000—2010年消纳污染的水生态占用变化不大,2011—2014年波动较大,历年生活水污染账户值均大于工业,今后要注重加强生活水污染防治,消纳污染的水生态承载力呈波动变化的趋势,水环境处于生态赤字状态,且其生态压力较高;(4)与现有生态足迹模型的比较分析可知:该模型核算更为全面;不考虑均衡因子,并以最大水生态压力指数来评价区域水生态系统所承受的压力状态具有合理性,更能准确反映贵州水生态的实际情况和水生态文明建设的需要.     

德国城镇水事管理法律的发展——供水保障和污水处理

关于饮用水供应和污水处理的法律规范,属于市政水管理的核心领域,是水管理法的重要组成部分。特别在国际和欧盟层面,以长期保障饮用水供应为核心内容的“涉水人权”成为关注热点。首先对德国水事管理法律的发展做一概览,《水法》确保一种公法上的监管秩序。尽管受到欧盟《水框架指令》影响,德国水事管理在向水环境质量达标转型,但饮用水供应与污水处理仍是《水法》的核心内容。在欧盟层面上,除了《水框架指令》外,《市政污水指令》和《饮用水指令》分别对供水保障和污水处理2个领域做了具体规定。在德国法律层面上,首先对供水保障和污水处理领域的组织体系,从集中式和分散式的发展趋势以及保障效率的私营化趋势加以评析;其次对《水法》在联邦制改革下的发展和作为水事监管核心的许可制度进行介绍;然后在污水监管领域,分别就污水排放许可的先进技术水准、直接与间接排放、污水收费和污泥处理进行分析;最后就饮用水供应领域,从水源地保护和饮用水供应2个方面加以介绍,指出了德国在水事监管领域的挑战。     

基于水劣化足迹的城市发展的水环境效应评价——以北京市为例

水劣化足迹是反映污染物排放对水质影响程度的一种评价方法和指标.为了评估和揭示北京市城市发展的水环境效应,本文基于水劣化足迹评价的方法框架,发展和完善相关模型和参数,选取关键污染因子,对北京市2004—2013年水体酸化足迹、水体富营养化足迹和水体生态毒性足迹进行了评价,进而对水劣化足迹与部分城市发展指标的相关关系进行了分析.结果显示:12004—2013年北京市水酸化足迹逐年减小,由2004年的19.1×107kg SO_2eq减少到2013年的8.7×107kg SO_2eq,污染排放对水体酸化的影响有所减弱;2水体富营养化足迹在2004—2009年和2010—2013年两个时间段内总体均呈现减少趋势,但后一时间段内水体富营养化绝对值总体高于前一时间段.2004—2009年,水体富营养化足迹减少了约1.5×10~7kg NO_3eq,而从2010—2013年减少了约0.8×107kg NO_3~-eq;2011年至2013年期间,基于新增污染物(氨氮、总氮和总磷)计算的水体富营养化足迹减少了2.4×10~7kg NO_3eq.从其组成来看,水体富营养化的关键因素为总磷;3选取铅(Pb)、汞(Hg)、铬(Cr)、镉(Cd)、砷(As)5种重金属污染物,对北京市2011—2013年的水体生态毒性足迹进行评价发现,水体生态毒性足迹从4234.7×106m3H_2O eq增加到4653.1×106m3H2O eq.从其组成来看,重金属水体生态毒性足迹的关键污染因子为镉(Cd);4水劣化足迹与城市发展特征指标的关系分析显示,人口数量增速减缓、产业结构调整(第二产业向第三产业转化)以及农业化肥用量的减少,对于水劣化足迹的改善有积极作用.     

From a literature review to a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chain management

Academic and corporate interest in sustainable supply chain management has risen considerably in recent years. This can be seen by the number of papers published and in particular by journal special issues. To establish the field further, the purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it offers a literature review on sustainable supply chain management taking 191 papers published from 1994 to 2007 into account. Second, it offers a conceptual framework to summarize the research in this field comprising three parts. As starting point related triggers are identified. This allows putting forward two distinct strategies: (1) supplier management for risks and performance, and (2) supply chain management for sustainable products. It is evident that research is still dominated by green/environmental issues. Social aspects and also the integration of the three dimensions of sustainability are still rare.Both practitioners in companies and academics might find the review useful, as it outlines major lines of research in the field. Further, it discusses specific features of sustainable supply chains as well as limitations of existing research; this should stimulate further research.     

基于产品水足迹核算的印染企业生产节水潜力分析:案例研究

针对目前我国工业企业节水潜力分析准确程度不足的现状,以纺织印染企业为对象,根据水足迹评价方法建立了印染企业产品水足迹精确测算方法,从产品层面说明回用水和雨水收集对于水足迹的削减作用.结果表明,应用水回用及雨水收集利用后,单位产品新鲜水用量降低了11.3%,单位产品总工业用水量降低了10.4%.本研究将水平衡分析、水足迹评价与印染企业自身特点相结合,为企业内产品生产层面的节水分析提供了依据,并为企业的精细化节水路线设计提供了支持.     

Alternative cropping systems for sustainable water and nitrogen use in the North China Plain

Serious water deficits and excessive nitrogen (N) applications are threatening the sustainability of intensive agriculture in the North China Plain (NCP). This study examined the possibility of replacing the conventional system (Con.W/M) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.), with an optimized double cropping system (Opt.W/M), a 2-year system (winter wheat/summer maize-spring maize, W/M-M), and a monoculture system (spring maize, M) based on optimal water and N management strategies. From 2004 to 2010, a long-term field experiment conducted in the NCP showed that although >70 mm of irrigation water can be saved with Opt.W/M compared with Con.W/M, annual net groundwater use under Opt.W/M was still 250 mm, 65-90% of which was consumed during the winter wheat season. When wheat production was decreased, 35% and 61% of irrigation water could be reduced in W/M-M and M compared to Con.W/M, respectively. As a result, annual groundwater use was decreased to 190 mm in W/M-M and 94 mm in M. Meanwhile, the N fertilizer rate was reduced 59% and 72% in W/M-M and M compared to Con.W/M, respectively. There were no significant differences in net economic returns between Con.W/M and W/M-M across the 6-year period. In the 6 years, no significant economic loss was observed between Con.W/M and M except in the 2008-2010 rotation. The W/M-M and M systems showed great potential to reduce water and N application and achieve groundwater use balance, and thus should be considered for economic and sustainable agricultural development in the NCP.     

The concept of sustainable islands: cleaner production, industrial ecology and the network paradigm as preconditions for regional sustainable development

This paper introduces a bottom-up approach towards sustainability which is called the Island approach. The basic assumption of ‘Islands of Sustainability’ is that development towards sustainability can be introduced starting from small sustainable regions. An Island is an area where sustainability is reached locally. Key points to create a sustainable region are communication activities, such as exchange of matter, energy, information, culture, capital and persons within the regional network and with the environment. One of the main theses is that sustainability is linked to the complexity of the regional network. The intensity, the speed and the comprehensive of internal and external interactions, as well as the connectedness of the regional network, have to be changed in order to reach local sustainability.Relations between different approaches such as the Cleaner Production approach, the Industrial Ecology approach and the Island approach are investigated. It is assumed that a combination of these approaches will lead to sustainability, which might not be the case with one approach in isolation. All concepts are based on the new Network Paradigm, which is a reduction of the holistic world view. Cooperation on different hierarchical levels, from the interfirm level up to the interregional level, becomes an important part of behaviour. Networks, such as information networks or matter-flow networks, are introduced and become most important with regard to sustainability.     

中国水足迹强度空间关联格局及影响因素分析

水资源短缺已成为制约经济社会发展的重要因素,科学审视水资源利用现状、探索水资源可持续发展的有效动力具有重要的理论和现实意义。基于水足迹视角分别测算2006-2015年中国31个省域的水足迹强度,利用探索性空间数据分析（ESDA）对其时空格局演变特征进行解析,考虑到该方法空间描述的粗略性,通过引入时空跃迁测度法进行细化,并借助空间杜宾模型探讨其影响因素。结果表明：中国水足迹强度空间集聚效应显著且具有跃迁性,但主要以类型Ⅵ为主,其空间结构具有一定的路径依赖特征;人口数量仍然是当前中国水足迹强度的一个主要驱动因子,而城镇化率和对外开放程度则对降低水足迹强度起积极作用;中国水足迹强度存在“倒N型”的Kuznets曲线,且大部分省份水足迹强度处于第一个拐点与第二个拐点之间,北京、天津、上海等区域已越过第二个拐点,处于水足迹强度下降阶段,而部分西部欠发达地区仍未跨越第一个拐点。     

Integrating carbon footprint into supply chain management: the case of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in the automobile industry

The purpose of this paper is to improve our understanding of carbon footprint within the context of automobile supply chain management. The case study approach is employed as a research method. Primary data were collected through site visits and extensive interviews with HMC’s corporate and plant management. First, identification and measurement of direct and indirect carbon footprint is critical for mitigating supply chain risks. Second, setting the system boundary of measurement is another important issue to integrate the issue of carbon footprint into supply chain management. Third, developing a map of product carbon footprint facilitates identification and measurement of carbon emissions across the supply chain. Companies today operate in a carbon-constrained world. In particular, the automobile industry is under pressure to take a close look at its product carbon footprint. Managing the downstream consequences of the use of its products and inputs from upstream suppliers is critical for developing carbon risk-mitigated supply chain management. This paper is of benefit to academics and managers by providing a new way to integrate carbon emissions in supply chain management. Since climate change and carbon footprint present challenges to many industries, increasing our understanding of how to integrate carbon footprint in supply chain management is necessary, but has seen little research in the automobile industry.     

Bioassay: A useful tool for evaluating reclaimed water safety

Wastewater reclamation and reuse has been proved to be an effective way to relieve the fresh water crisis.However, toxic contaminants remaining in reclaimed water could lead to potential risk for reuse, and the conventional water quality standards have difficulty guaranteeing the safety of reclaimed water.Bioassays can vividly reflect the integrated biological effects of multiple toxic substances in water as a whole, and could be a powerful tool for evaluating the safety of reclaimed water.There...     

A survey on heavy metal concentrations in residential neighborhoods: The influence of secondary water supply systems

Water quality deterioration often occurs in secondary water supply systems (SWSSs), and increased heavy metal concentrations can be a serious problem. In this survey, twelve residential neighborhoods were selected to investigate the influence of SWSSs on the seasonal changes in heavy metal concentrations from input water to tank and tap water. The concentrations of nine evaluated heavy metals in all groups of water samples were found to be far below the specified standard levels in China. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Zn increased significantly from the input water samples to the tank and tap water samples in spring and summer (p < 0.05), especially for the water samples that had been stagnant for a long time. Negative correlations were found between most of the heavy metals and residual chlorine (Fe, Cu, Zn, and As, r = -0.186 to -0.519, p < 0.05). In particular, a high negative correlation was observed between Fe and residual chlorine (r = -0.489 to -0.519, p < 0.01) in spring and summer. Fe and Mn displayed positive correlations with turbidity (r = 0.672 and 0.328, respectively; p < 0.05). In addition, Cr and As were found to be positively associated with some nutrients (NO₃⁻, TN, and SO₄²⁻; r = 0.420-0.786, p < 0.01). The material of the storage tanks had little influence on the difference in heavy metal concentrations. Overall, this survey illustrated that SWSSs may pose a chronic threat to water quality and could provide useful information for practitioners.     

干旱区旅游业用水供需适配性评价模型及应用——以中国新疆为例

干旱区旅游业在促进区域社会经济发展的同时,也加剧了地区的水资源供需矛盾。针对中国干旱区水资源禀赋及旅游产业的特点,提出干旱区旅游业用水供需适配性评价模型。按照旅游业产值对地区生产总值贡献率、旅游业从业人员占地区就业人员比例、地区水资源禀赋约束等指标,构建综合测算干旱区旅游业用水供给量测算模型;从旅游“食、住、行、游、娱、购”全要素视角,建立由餐饮水足迹、住宿水足迹、能源水足迹、游览水足迹、购物水足迹等账户组成的旅游业用水需求量测算模型;针对“供给”与“需求”水量的数量关系,利用组合分析方法,构建旅游业用水供需适配性程度指数评价模型,并设定评价阈值,测算干旱区旅游业用水供给与需求适配性程度的评价等级。实证分析了新疆2025年旅游业用水供需适配性程度,得出结论：为使旅游业用水维持在“供需基本平衡”或“供需平衡”的状态,新疆旅游业规模最高发展速度应在15%以内,同时新疆政府必须保持社会用水量年均节水率在0.95%及以上;而如某年发生突发性事件,则其之后年份的旅游业规模发展速度可放宽至20%。     

Carbon footprint analysis for increasing water supply and sanitation in South Africa: a case study

This study investigates the environmental burdens due to the provision of potable water and sanitation in the eThekwini Municipality (Durban), South Africa. This was achieved by employing LCA studies for the individual parts of the urban water system (impoundment, water treatment, distribution, collection, sewage treatment and water recycling). Based on the results of the individual LCAs a base case was constructed.For the provision of potable water and sanitation to new customers, which have not been previously served, two different scenarios (200 000 new customers in an urban environment with waterborne sewage and in a peri-urban environment with on-site sanitation) and three different options (maximising use of existing assets, recycling water and building new infrastructure) were considered and analysed. With regard to the impact scores calculated for both scenarios (urban and peri-urban), the recycling of water is followed by maximising the use of existing assets as the most environmentally friendly options. The construction of new infrastructure carries a higher environmental burden and the use of bottled water for drinking (an additional scenario) carries the highest environmental burden.     

The water footprint of hydroelectricity: a methodological comparison from a case study in New Zealand

Hydroelectricity has been rated to have a large water footprint (WF) on global average. We assessed the WF of hydroelectricity by three different methods using New Zealand as a case study. The first (WF-1) and second (WF-2) methods only consider the consumptive water use of the hydroelectricity generation system, while our third method (WF-3) accounts for the net water balance. Irrespective of the method, the WF of New Zealand’s hydroelectricity was found much smaller than the commonly cited international value of 22 m³ GJ⁻¹. Depending on the method, the national WF ranged from 1.55 m³ GJ⁻¹ (WF-3) to 6.05 m³ GJ⁻¹ (WF-1). The WF- 3 considers the net water balance including rainfall, which is the key driver for replenishing water resources. It provides meaningful information that helps our understanding of the differences of the WF in locations, which are diverse in terms of water resource availability. We highlight the effects of local climatic differences and the structural specifics of a hydroelectricity scheme on the WF. The large variation in the WF of hydropower across New Zealand illustrates the inappropriateness of using global average values. Local values, calculated using our hydrologically rational method, must be used.     

Managing climate change risks in New York City’s water system: assessment and adaptation planning

Managing risk by adapting long-lived infrastructure to the effects of climate change must become a regular part of planning for water supply, sewer, wastewater treatment, and other urban infrastructure during this century. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), the agency responsible for managing New York City’s (NYC) water supply, sewer, and wastewater treatment systems, has developed a climate risk management framework through its Climate Change Task Force, a government-university collaborative effort. Its purpose is to ensure that NYCDEP’s strategic and capital planning take into account the potential risks of climate change—sea-level rise, higher temperature, increases in extreme events, changes in drought and flood frequency and intensity, and changing precipitation patterns—on NYC’s water systems. This approach will enable NYCDEP and other agencies to incorporate adaptations to the risks of climate change into their management, investment, and policy decisions over the long term as a regular part of their planning activities. The framework includes a 9-step Adaptation Assessment procedure. Potential climate change adaptations are divided into management, infrastructure, and policy categories, and are assessed by their relevance in terms of climate change time-frame (immediate, medium, and long term), the capital cycle, costs, and other risks. The approach focuses on the water supply, sewer, and wastewater treatment systems of NYC, but has wide application for other urban areas, especially those in coastal locations.     

Complementary safeguards for robust regional watershed governance in a federation: New York City and its municipal water supply

In federations such as the United States, governments at various levels are experimenting with new watershed governance arrangements to protect water quality for both ecosystem health and human consumption. Such arrangements may bring previously uncooperative governments together to credibly commit to resource protection under the auspices of new and intricate formal institutions. Given the risks of cooperation, theory indicates that a robust arrangement will contain means of holding governing actors accountable to each other. This paper examines a purportedly successful case, the New York City watershed governance arrangement, to identify how safeguards against intergovernmental opportunism promote lasting cooperation. Using the qualitative method of process tracing, this paper finds that the New York City watershed governance arrangement uses structural, judicial, and popular safeguards against opportunistic behaviors by governing actors that might threaten the resource or the arrangement. The results indicate that such safeguards are present and interact with other safeguards and rule institutions at the state and federal level to maintain compliance.