The carbon cycle and water cycle are key to the earth's climate system. Changes in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have a great impact on changes in the earth's temperature. Water absorbs heat during the cycle and has the effect of cooling and lowering the temperature.
For every 1°C increase in global average temperature, water resources will decrease by 20%.
Climate change has caused an imbalance in the earth's water cycle. Frequent water shortages have become a new challenge that developed countries are struggling with. For example, in 2022, California in the United States suffered the worst drought in 1,200 years, and Europe experienced the most severe drought in 500 years, with rivers drying up. Impacting shipping, power generation, grain production and supply chains.
Since 2000, the frequency and duration of droughts around the world have increased by 29%. Scientists predict that the global water shortage will be as high as 40% in 2030, and 700 million people may be forced to relocate due to severe water shortage. Droughts in 2050 will affect more than 3/4 of the world's population. , water shortages trigger water wars, which may lead to political unrest, food shortages, and economic recession.
According to United Nations data, 2 billion people lack safe drinking water, 2.3 billion people live in water-scarce countries, and 1/5 of river basins are undergoing rapid changes due to flooding, new reservoirs, and drying up.
Water is not only a victim of the climate crisis but also a contributor to it.
Drought-induced fires have caused massive losses in biodiversity. If the loss of wetlands represents depleting the largest carbon storage on the planet, and the decline in soil moisture reduces the ability of terrestrial and forest ecosystems to sequester carbon, it is likely to increase in the next few years. years turning these natural ecosystems into sources of greenhouse gas emissions, with devastating consequences for the rate of global warming.
Over the past 20 years, terrestrial water storage (including soil moisture, snow and ice) has declined by 1 centimeter per year.
We should be aware of the key role of water in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. If the water problem is not solved, the problem of climate change will also fail.
(Figure 1) Source: TÜV Rheinland
UN Water Conference
From March 22 to 24, 2023, the United Nations held a water resources conference. The last conference was in 1977, 46 years ago. About 6,000 people from more than 200 countries and organizations around the world participated in this conference and adopted The "Water Action Agenda" contains more than 700 related commitments to protect water resources. Although many experts and scholars believe that this content lacks binding force and it is difficult to achieve a fair and sustainable vision, it is definitely a switch to re-focus on water resources. .
“A sustainable and just water future is achievable and requires transforming economies and reimagining water management, and we must take bolder and more comprehensive action.”
(Figure 2) Source: global commission on the economics of water
Water footprint inventory standards
In response to water resources risks, all parties advocate water footprint as a water resources management tool, and develop improvement plans accordingly to enhance the effectiveness of water conservation and recycling. The concept of water footprint is to reveal "hidden water use" and let us understand the organization The relationship between , products, services, etc. and water resources.
Water footprint-related standards or tools widely used internationally include the "Water Footprint Manual" published by the Water Footprint Network (WFN), the World Business Council on Sustainability Development The Global Water Risk Assessment Tool (GWT) developed by WBCSD), the Water Sustainability Tool (Water Sustainability Tool) of Global Environmental Management Institute (GEMI), and international Standards Organization (ISO) "Water Footprint Standard" (ISO 14046).
The ISO 14046 water footprint standard is based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 life cycle assessment. It takes into account the water consumption and water pollution of products in different life cycle stages, allowing companies to identify the water-related environment of their products and the overall industry. risk.
(image 3)
Inventory process
To conduct a water footprint inventory in accordance with the ISO 14046 standard, it is first recommended to conduct education and training on relevant topics. If senior managers can clearly set goals and commitments, it will strengthen the strength of subsequent inspections, and appoint relevant responsible persons from each department to form an inspection team and select Determine the target and scope of the inventory, then clarify the water flow through each water use unit, draw a water flow diagram, and then estimate the water volume in each water direction based on the water balance relationship that the water resource inflow of the water use unit is equal to the water resource outflow, and finally create a water flow diagram. Balance chart, subsequent completion of data calculation and impact assessment, and external review by stakeholders.
(Figure 4)
References:
1. Research project commissioned by Taiwan Electric Power Co., Ltd. (First phase construction plan of water footprint inventory for power generation), 105.
2. National Standard CNS Environmental Management of the Republic of China - Water Footprint - Principles, Requirements and Guidelines, 106.
3. Research on the technical mechanism of water footprint certification, 107 years.
Author: You Yayin, Consultant of the Corporate Sustainability Group of the Quality, Environmental and Safety Department of the Plastic Industry Technology Development Center
