It is increasingly acknowledged that local water depletion and pollution are often closely tied to the structure of the global economy. Many countries have significantly externalised their water footprint, importing water-intensive goods from elsewhere. This puts pressure on the water resources in the exporting regions, where too often mechanisms for wise water governance and conservation are lacking. Not only governments acknowledge their role in achieving a better management of water resources, also businesses and public-service organisations increasingly recognize their role in the interplay of actors involved in water use and management.
PE INTERNATIONAL is a member of the Water Footprint Network that brings together in a structural way developers of methods and tools and institutions that seek application. In order to coordinate efforts to further develop and disseminate knowledge on water footprint concepts, methods and tools, a number of institutions have taken the initiative to establish a Water Footprint Network. Unique to the network is that it brings together partners from diverse origins: knowledge institutions, non-governmental sector, private sector, governments and UN.
