Abstract
Large scale production of water-intensive industrial products can intensify water scarcity, resulting in potential unsustainable water use at local and regional scales. This study proposes a methodological framework for assessing the WF sustainability of multiple interdependent products in a system, and one of China’s four major large modern coal chemical industry bases is used as a case study. A Mixed-Unit Input-Output (MUIO) model was applied to calculate the blue water footprint (WF) for 19 major coal-based energy and chemicals in the study area, based on which the WF sustainability of production of the products were assessed using different indicators. Technical coefficient matrix and direct water consumption vector of the products were constructed based a database that were built by field research in the study area. Accounting result indicates that the blue WF of the coal-based products range from 2.5 × 10−4 m3/kWh for coal-fired power to 55.25 m3/t for Polytetrahydrofuran. The sustainability assessment reveals that the blue WF of all products produced in the study area are sustainable at both product and regional levels, while over half of them have reached the advanced level. However, the blue WF of a few products with large production capacities has just crossed the sustainable thresholds, posing potential threat to the local environment. This paper concludes with a discussion on the choice of blue WF accounting approach, methods to promote WF sustainability of coal-based products, and suggestions for the WF management in general.
Highlights
Water scarcity can cause severe socio-economic consequences from local to global scales [1,2]
Mixed-Unit Input-Output (MUIO) model is adopted in the framework to account water footprint (WF) of the products, and three sustainability assessment indicators are proposed
This study attempts to fill in a current research gap by introducing a methodological framework for assessing the blue WF sustainability of multiple interdependent products in a system
Summary
Water scarcity can cause severe socio-economic consequences from local to global scales [1,2]. The World Economic Forum rated water crises as one of the major global risks over the decade [3]. The International Energy Agency projected a rise of 60% in global water consumption for primary energy production and power generation through 2040 [5]. In China, the energy and chemical uses have dramatically increased in last decades due to rapid economic expansion. China released the Energy Production and Consumption Revolution Strategy (2016–2030), which set up a series of targets for 2030 including the share of non-fossil fuel in the energy mix, and the nation’s energy self-sufficiency rate [6]. Coal-based energy will continue to form the major part of China’s energy mix over the decade due to the low cost and the abundance of domestic reserves [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call