The water footprint of the EU for different diets

• Published in: Ecological indicators 2013-09, Vol.32, p.1-8
• Main Authors: Vanham, D., Mekonnen, M.M., Hoekstra, A.Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; animal fats and oils; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; animals; Applied ecology; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Diets; energy intake; European Union; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; healthy diet; meat consumption; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; protein intake; sugars; Synecology; vegetables; vegetarian diet; Virtual water; Water footprint
• ISSN: 1470-160X; 1872-7034
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.02.020

In this paper, the EU28 (EU27 and Croatia) water footprint of consumption (WFcons) for different diets is analysed: the current diet (REF, period 1996–2005), a healthy diet (DGE), a vegetarian (VEG) and combined (COM) diet. By far the largest fraction of the total WFcons (4815lcd) relates to the consumption of edible agricultural goods (84%). The average EU28 diet is characterised by a too high energy intake and a too high ratio of animal to vegetal protein intake. For a healthy diet, the intake of some product groups should be reduced (sugar, crop oils, meat and animal fats) and of other product groups increased (vegetables and fruit). Especially the consumption of animal products accounts for high WF amounts. The three alternative diets result in a substantial reduction (−974lcd or −23% for DGE, −1292lcd or −30% for COM, −1611lcd or −38% for VEG) of the WFcons for agricultural products with respect to the existing situation (REF, 4265lcd). The reduction in meat intake contributes most to the WF reduction. Each of the specific WF components (green, blue and grey) shows a reduction similar to the observed reduction in the total WFcons. Regarding the total WFcons (green, blue and grey WFcons) as well as the WFcons without the grey WF component (green+blue WFcons) for agricultural products, the EU28 shifts from net virtual water (VW) importer for the REF and DGE diets to net exporter for the COM and VEG diets.