Incorporating the Water Footprint and Virtual Water into Policy: Reflections from the Mancha Occidental Region, Spain

Abstract

Water resource management is often a controversial issue in semiarid regions. Most water resources experts admit that water conflicts are not caused by the physical water scarcity but they are mainly due to inadequate water management. The virtual water concept (the volume of water used in the production of a commodity, good or service) together with the water footprint (indicator of water consumption that looks at both direct and indirect water use of a consumer or producer), links a large range of sectors and issues, thus providing a potentially appropriate framework to support more optimal water management practices by informing production and trade decisions. This paper provides an analysis of these two concepts within the context of the Mancha Occidental region, Spain, exploring the hydrological and economic aspects of agricultural production. In doing so, this work not only distinguishes between green and blue water but also between surface and groundwater. We conclude by discussing the practical implications of the results, as well as their potential limitations from the policy standpoint.

Towards Quantification of the Water Footprint of Paper: A First Estimate of its Consumptive Component

“…Ercin et al 2011) and studies that discuss the way these concepts may be used (e.g. Aldaya et al 2010;Wichelns 2010a;2010b;Velázquez et al 2011). So far, the water footprint of paper has not been studied in enough detail to reflect on its claims on water resources.…”

Water Productivity in a Mediterranean Semi-Arid Greenhouse District

“…The use of these performance indicators together with benchmarking techniques and data envelopment analysis has proved to be a good tool for improving the water management in irrigation districts (Malano et al 2004;Rodríguez et al 2004;Córcoles et al 2012;Ali and Klein 2014). Other recent studies have introduced the concept of Bvirtual water^and Bwater footprint^and have applied these concepts for water planning and allocation at a regional scale (Hoekstra and Chapagain 2007;Aldaya et al 2010;Montesinos et al 2011;Su et al 2014) The purpose of this study is to evaluate the irrigation water productivity in a greenhouse irrigation district in the southeast of Spain with increasing problems regarding the irrigation water availability and quality (The BCampo de Níjar^area). This research work tries to fill the gap of irrigation performance and productivity assessment studies in Mediterranean greenhouse districts as there are few previous studies regarding this issue.…”

Business Engagement with Sustainable Water Resource Management through Water Footprint Accounting: The Case of the Barilla Company

“…Applied to nations, the water footprint indicator sheds light on the globalization of water and the interdependencies between producing and importing countries; for developing food security and environmental policies, as well as for helping prioritize policy action towards demand-side measures aimed at changing consumption patterns; for improving agricultural water efficiency or exploring whether a site is suitable for producing certain types of crops for export [8][9][10][11]. Applied to commodities, the water footprint indicator also has the potential to empower consumers by providing them with information on the way their choices affect water security globally [12].…”

“…The market regulates water resources and is the locus of food supply chains [8]. Consumers' demand is generally met by low prices, but markets do not include consideration of social and environmental impacts of the global commodity trade.…”