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<p>The water footprint (WF) has become a vital tool for water resource management, attracting growing scholarly interest. This study reviews WF articles from 2000 to 2023, exploring development trends, geographical distribution, research focuses, methodologies, implications, and policies. It is found that three key cross-cutting barriers persist in WF research: issues with data consistency and transparency, basin- and time-sensitive impact attribution, and limited policy uptake. In practice, WF analysis informs urban demand management, industrial permitting, and product policy through life-cycle reporting and disclosure. Geographical distribution indicates that China, with 588 papers, and the United States, with 221, are the two countries with the highest number of publications. The significant number of publications from China can be attributed to the recent emphasis on agricultural water conservation. Two primary approaches to WF assessment are compared: the volume-oriented WF approach (VWFA) and the impact-oriented WF assessment (IWFA). Advancements can be made through scarcity-weighted indicators, improved Multi-Regional Input-Output Model (MRIO)-based tracing, and basin-level interventions. Considering global food security, this review highlights how countries with large WFs can export virtual water. It clarifies capabilities and limitations of WF methods, offering steps to align scientific accounting with policy and management.</p>

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Advances in Water Footprint Research: Trends, Methods, and Implications - A Literature Review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月20日

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  • Zhenna Yi,
  • Chengyan Li,
  • Yahong Dong

摘要

The water footprint (WF) has become a vital tool for water resource management, attracting growing scholarly interest. This study reviews WF articles from 2000 to 2023, exploring development trends, geographical distribution, research focuses, methodologies, implications, and policies. It is found that three key cross-cutting barriers persist in WF research: issues with data consistency and transparency, basin- and time-sensitive impact attribution, and limited policy uptake. In practice, WF analysis informs urban demand management, industrial permitting, and product policy through life-cycle reporting and disclosure. Geographical distribution indicates that China, with 588 papers, and the United States, with 221, are the two countries with the highest number of publications. The significant number of publications from China can be attributed to the recent emphasis on agricultural water conservation. Two primary approaches to WF assessment are compared: the volume-oriented WF approach (VWFA) and the impact-oriented WF assessment (IWFA). Advancements can be made through scarcity-weighted indicators, improved Multi-Regional Input-Output Model (MRIO)-based tracing, and basin-level interventions. Considering global food security, this review highlights how countries with large WFs can export virtual water. It clarifies capabilities and limitations of WF methods, offering steps to align scientific accounting with policy and management.