Water Footprint and Water Resources Sustainability: A Review

Abstract

This review provides an overview of recent progress in water footprint research across theoretical development, methodological improvement, and practical implementation at different levels. It analyzes the development of the water footprint concept, reviews existing calculation methods, and discusses their strengths and limitations. The review pays particular attention to interactions within the food–energy–water nexus and demonstrates how water footprint analysis can reveal resource interdependencies and trade-offs. It also highlights the significant progress made in integrating the assessment of the water footprint with other environmental indicators, particularly within the “environmental footprint family”: water, environment, energy, carbon, land, nitrogen, and phosphorus footprints. This review contributes to the growing literature in water resource management. It provides policymakers and researchers with some valuable insights into strategies for sustainable resource use.