Partnership to promote the sustainable use of the world's freshwater resources

Australia’s national scientific research agency, CSIRO, has joined a global network of private and public sector organisations which aims to promote the sustainable, fair and efficient use of the world’s freshwater resources.

The Water Footprint Network seeks to advance the concept of ‘water footprinting’ as a means of understanding and addressing the negative impacts on freshwater systems of the production and consumption of goods and services.

As a network partner, CSIRO has conducted a range of water footprint case studies on various products — including food products manufactured by Mars Australia — and has been active in developing water footprint calculation methods.

CSIRO's Principal Scientist, Dr Brad Ridoutt, says standardised and internationally agreed methods for product water footprinting are urgently needed.

“CSIRO will work toward agreed methods that will enable companies to start using water footprinting with confidence for reporting, priority setting and decision making,” Ridoutt says.

Derk Kuiper, Water Footprint Network Executive Director, says measuring the water footprint of food products is a key development in addressing critical global water and food security issues.

“Even companies situated where water is abundant may be exposed to the impacts of water scarcity through their supply chains,” Kuiper says.

“In order to adapt to increased climate variability and the pending world water crisis, companies need to understand these risks and develop appropriate management and growth strategies."