Crafting a water footprint database of foods in Spain to drive sustainable consumption

Abstract

Food, a cornerstone of human existence, plays a central role in health, social progress and cultural identity. Despite its vital role, the production and consumption of food has a significant environmental footprint, requiring metrics such as water footprints for sustainable practices. The water footprint of a food product is the amount of water that is consumed and polluted in all of the processing stages. This paper introduces the first comprehensive database of water footprints for 158 food commodities commonly consumed in Spain. Developed using a standardized methodology, the database integrates up-to-date production and trade data (2022) with water footprint data from the global assessment by Mekonnen and Hoekstra, 2010, Mekonnen and Hoekstra, 2011, brought to the same reference year using the fast-track method. It represents a novel approach in that it covers a wide range of food categories, specific food types and varieties, while also taking into account local agricultural practices, and climatic and geographical factors, providing a highly detailed analysis of both the imported and exported water footprints associated with each. By facilitating the evaluation of the influence of dietary modifications on global water scarcity, this database provides a foundation for the formulation of evidence-based policies aimed at fostering sustainable food systems.