Organizational water footprint: a methodological guidance

摘要: This paper proposes a practical methodological approach to assess the water footprint at organizational level, in line with current development of life-cycle based approaches toward scale on one hand and metrics other hand. allows for applications intended inform management decisions alleviate water-related environmental impacts throughout supply chain. ISO 14046, dedicated major focus products, ISO/TS 14072 LCA (O-LCA) are compared. A set indications carry out an is identified on: requirements common LCA; complementary elements specified only standards; solutions issues as conflicting. Additional application guidance data collection prioritization scarcity studies delivered review existing case comparative product or commodity studies. O-LCA provide scoping phase inventory impact assessment respectively, according different foci. We identify conflicting contradictory related (i) comparisons, (ii) system boundary definition, (iii) avoid allocation. recommend avoiding comparisons studies, defining two-dimensional boundaries (“life-cycle dimension” “organizational dimension”), expansion. Additionally, when carrying organizations, we suggest prioritizing direct activities, freshwater extraction discharge, purchased energy, metals, agricultural products biofuels, and, if energy consuming, use phase. The standards comparison allowed compiling footprints. Combined targeted facilitate this work can assessing organizations their chains.