What are the advantages of water footprint calculation?
It helps to understand the distribution of water use in different regions by obtaining clear data on direct and indirect water use.
It offers solutions to prevent water overuse and pollution by helping to determine and reduce the impact of water use on nature.
It supports the development of preventive strategies for regions at risk of water scarcity by enabling more efficient and sustainable management of water resources.
According to a standard water footprint calculation system, the following roadmap and steps should be followed;
1. Current Situation Analysis
In the first stage, the company's activities, supply chain processes, and water use are analyzed in detail. The processes leading to water consumption are identified, and organizational and operational limits are determined in accordance with the ISO 14046:2014 standard.
2. Data Collection
Data should be collected and evaluated accurately from the organization.
3. Calculation of Water Footprint
After the data is collected, the calculations are completed in accordance with the ISO 14046:2014 Water Footprint Standard. Water consumption is categorized as blue water (surface and groundwater), green water (soil moisture and rainwater), and grey water (amount of contaminated water). This process helps organizations guide their sustainability strategies by making their water consumption measurable and traceable. The use of digital software and platforms is recommended.
4. Reporting
Following the completion of water footprint calculations, reporting is carried out in accordance with the ISO 14046:2014 Water Footprint Standard.
5. Verification
Calculations are verified by verifiers or authorized verifiers and presented as a verified water footprint report.
The Global Water Footprint Assessment Standard can be used to help companies, governments, and researchers manage their water resources and achieve greater water sustainability by providing comparable quantification and robust analyses.
ISO 14046:2014: The internationally recognized standard for environmental management.
ISO 14040/14044: The overarching standards for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which provide the methodological foundation for ISO 14046 water footprinting
CDP Water Security: A widely used reporting framework where corporations disclose their water risk, consumption metrics, and management strategies to investors and stakeholders.
The International Water Footprint Alliance, we believe that the efficient and sustainable use of freshwater worldwide forms a critical foundation for healthy lives and a blue future. As the global consumer population expands and stresses on our limited resources increase, water accounting has become crucial, requiring significant dedication, education, and efficiency improvements to rethink and ultimately transform how we use and manage water. Specifically, we have a vision to increase water efficiency for humanity, taking steps to address this situation and ensuring our progress by closely following evolving standards and global developments.
Established as a non-profit, multi-stakeholder alliance, the IWAFA Water Footprint Alliance aims to facilitate its stakeholders in launching activities, sharing accounting and analysis systems for water footprints, globally published standards and best practices in water efficiency, and developing tools and materials that will help us achieve our common mission.
Contınue
IWAFA membership is only accepted from corporate legal entities. This is to enhance the impact of regulatory assessments on water efficiency and maintain an international standard. Individuals can apply by email, explaining their reasons for participation, and their applications will be reviewed and processed by the responsible person.
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