Water footprints for Industry in South Africa Volume 1: Literature review: Applicability of water footprints in South Africa.

In South Africa and other water-scarce countries, tools which can inform efficiency and raise awareness and create dialogue with people not previously involved in water debates are potentially very useful. Water footprints have the potential to contribute in this way, bringing new and important decision-makers into the water debate in a way that is intuitive and cuts across sectors. Additionally, water footprints create an opportunity for companies to join a global process of disclosure, understand risk and integrate an understanding of water into planning decisions. With this potential, the concept of water footprint has gained significant traction in the past 10 years in the private and public spheres across a variety of sectors. However, water footprint as a tool is still developing and many conceptual and methodological questions remain. To explore the applicability of water footprints in South Africa, the Water Research Commission has commissioned this project (number K5/2099). The purpose of the project is to understand how water footprints may contribute to sustainable management of water in South Africa primarily in the industrial sector, and to explore linkages between water and energy and the concept of water offsetting. Several reports have been submitted as part of the study. This final deliverable summarises the work carried out to date and highlights the key leaning points to be taken away. The final deliverable has been split into three focussed volumes: o Volume I: Literature Review This volume explores the international experience with water footprints and linkages to carbon footprints and offsetting has been completed as the first deliverable and helped in scoping the project and highlighting key issues which should be addressed. o Volume II: Policy and Regulation This volume places the water footprinting tool in context with various other water resource management strategies, policies and tools. o Volume III: Key insights from South African Case Studies This volume summarises the key learnings from the South African case studies and makes recommendations for the applicability of water footprinting for the corporate sector. Presented below is a summary of the findings of each volume: VOLUME I: LITERATURE REVIEW The literature review documents the international experience and methods for water footprint, and explores linkages with carbon, energy and offsetting.