Water Footprint vs. Water Footprint ISO 14046-2014: Differences

Water is an essential resource for life on earth, but its availability and quality are under pressure due to a number of factors, from climate change to population growth and industrial activity. To understand and address these challenges, two key tools have been developed: the water footprint and the water footprint ISO 14046-2014. Although both are related to water use, they differ in their approach and application.

Water footprint:

The water footprint is an indicator, proposed by Arjen Y. Hoekstra in 2002, which quantifies the amount of water used directly and indirectly in the production of goods and services, provides an understanding of the water impact of human activities on the water environment. This indicator is calculated using the Water Footprint Network methodology.

The water analysed in this tool is divided into three main categories:

• Green water footprint: Refers to rainwater that is stored in the soil and used by plants and also to water evaporated in a production process or incorporated into a product (Hoekstra et al. 2011).
• Blue water footprint: Indicates the consumption of freshwater, surface water and groundwater along the supply chain of a product or service.
• Grey water footprint: Represents the amount of water needed to dilute the pollution generated by an activity to water quality values in line with regulations.

This tool provides a volumetric measure of water consumption and its degree of pollution, enabling businesses, governments and consumers to understand the impact of their actions and create measures to mitigate adverse effects.

Water footprint ISO 14046-2014:

The other water footprint follows the methodology of ISO 14046, 2014, and is based on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), thus this methodology not only takes into account the impact due to water consumption in goods and processes, but also assesses and quantifies the potential environmental impacts related to this consumption.

The use of this methodology gives the water footprint a more complete picture and can be of more value to different institutions when applying measures to mitigate the adverse effects of their water consumption and pollution on the water environment.

Key differences between water footprint and water footprint ISO 14046-2014

• Approach: The water footprint focuses on the amount of water used, while the water footprint ISO 14046-2014 also assesses the environmental impacts associated with its consumption.
• Application: The water footprint is useful for understanding and managing water use in production and consumption, while the water footprint ISO 14046-2014 is more suitable for assessing the environmental impacts of products, processes or organisations.

Both tools are essential for sustainable water management. While the water footprint provides information on water use, the water footprint ISO 14046-2014 goes further by assessing its environmental impacts. Combined, they offer a complete picture that can guide actions for the conservation and responsible use of our planet's most vital resource.

At Grup Carles we are committed to helping you calculate and reduce your water footprint effectively to contribute to a more sustainable future. Our team of experts is able to offer you effective and customised solutions.

Contact us today to start your journey towards environmental sustainability.