National Water Footprint Accounts: The Green, Blue and Grey Water Footprint of Production and Consumption

This study quantifies and maps the water footprints of nations from both a production and consumption perspective and estimates international virtual water flows and national and global water savings as a result of trade. The entire estimate includes a breakdown of water footprints, virtual water flows and water savings into their green, blue and grey components. The study illustrates the global dimension of water consumption and pollution by showing that several countries heavily rely on water resources elsewhere (for example, Mexico depending on virtual water imports from the US) and that many countries have significant impacts on water consumption and pollution elsewhere (for example Japan and many European countries due to their large external water footprints).