Virtual water hegemony: the role of agribusiness in global water governance

Sojamo, Suvi; Keulertz, Martin; Warner, Jeroen; Allan, John

doi:10.1080/02508060.2012.662734

Cited by 60 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…There is, thus, a need for industrial processes to e.g., deliver safe water to people, as different equipment and technologies are required. While in many of these activities, water is consumed locally, it is at the same time often flowing virtually around the world through various commodities, playing a key role along the value chains of different sectors and products [36].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Potential and Pitfalls of Frugal Innovation in the Water Sector: Insights from Tanzania to Global Value Chains

Hyvärinen¹,

Keskinen²,

Varis³

2016

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Water is perhaps the most intertwined, and basic, resource on our planet. Nevertheless, billions face water-related challenges, varying from lack of water and sanitation services to hindrances on livelihoods and socio-economic activities. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the broad role that water has for development, and also call for the private sector to participate in solving these numerous development challenges. This study looks into the potential of frugal innovations as a means for the private sector to engage in water-related development challenges. Our findings, based on a case study and literature review, indicate that frugal innovations have potential in this front due to their focus on affordable, no-frills solutions. However, we also recognize pitfalls related to frugal innovations in the water sector. Although the innovations would, in principle, be sustainable, deficiencies related to scale and institutional structures may emerge. These deficiencies are linked to the importance of water in a variety of processes, both natural and manmade, as well as to the complexity of global production-consumption value chains. Increasing the innovations' sustainability impact requires broader acknowledgement of the underlying value chains and their diverse links with water. A holistic view on water can mitigate water-related business risks while increasing wellbeing on an individual level.

show abstract

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Potential and Pitfalls of Frugal Innovation in the Water Sector: Insights from Tanzania to Global Value Chains

Hyvärinen¹,

Keskinen²,

Varis³

2016

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…By importing rain-fed cereals from Brazil, Canada or Australia, mena countries are effectively importing the rainfalls of these locations, and can benefit from them. Between 70 and 90 per cent of the global trade in staple food commodities is carried out by just a few food-trading houses; mainly the 'abcds': Archer Daniels Midland (adm), Bunge, Cargill, and Dreyfus, plus Glencore as a fifth company (Sojamo et al, 2012). The trade in crops and derived products constitutes 76 per cent of global virtual water trade and 68 per cent of this figure comes from green water.…”

Section: World Market Dependence and Trade-based Food Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Economic and Political Development

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In its Global Risks 2015 report, the World Economic Forum identifies water crises as the primary global risk in terms of impact [2]. It is increasingly recognized that the responsibility for wise water governance is not merely a task for governments, but partially relies on the private sector as well [3,4]. Transparency in how companies relate to issues of water scarcity and pollution and what they do to reduce their impact is thus becoming increasingly important [5].…”

Section: Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ranking Water Transparency of Dutch Stock-Listed Companies

Linneman

Berkhout

2015

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:A growing world population, changing consumption patterns and climate change are affecting water demands, water scarcity and water quality worldwide, while at present, few companies are incorporating good water stewardship. In order to create awareness on this issue and provide an incentive for companies to improve the water performance in their operations and supply chain, a method for ranking companies based on their water transparency has been developed. The method consists of a checklist that can be completed on the basis of information from annual reports, sustainability reports and websites of companies. This is the first time a ranking of companies regarding water transparency has been carried out. Results show that there are large differences in transparency between and within sectors and that companies are reporting more about their operations than their supply chain.

show abstract

Virtual water hegemony: the role of agribusiness in global water governance

Cited by 60 publications

References 28 publications

Potential and Pitfalls of Frugal Innovation in the Water Sector: Insights from Tanzania to Global Value Chains

Potential and Pitfalls of Frugal Innovation in the Water Sector: Insights from Tanzania to Global Value Chains

Combining Economic and Political Development

Ranking Water Transparency of Dutch Stock-Listed Companies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About