The Global Blue Water Use for the Dutch Diet and Associated Environmental Impact on Water Scarcity

Abstract

Agriculture is responsible for around 70% of global water withdrawal, making it the largest consumer of freshwater. Globally, freshwater is a scarce resource, and there is increasing risk that current water use is crossing the planetary boundary, meaning that humanity is using more freshwater than nature can replenish. Beside the amount of water used for the production of food, also the location of water use is of importance to identify local water scarcity. In this study we determined and analyzed the blue water use for the Dutch diet. Also, we provide an indication of the the spatial distribution in water use, related to water scarcity. The blue water use per person for the average diet of the Dutch adult population aged 19-79 years as calculated in this study was 160 l/day (=57 m³/year) for men and 153 l/day (=56 m³/year) for women. Non-alcoholic beverages were the most important contributor to water use for the diet of men as well as women. Fruits were the second most important contributor to water use for the diet of women (particularly oranges, tangerines, strawberries and bananas), and the third most important for men. Meat was the second most important contributor for men (particularly chicken fillet and beef meat) and the third for women. About one third of the blue water use for the Dutch diet takes place in countries where 30 to 70 times less available water remaining per area than the world average. This means that water scarcity is relatively high in those countries compared to the world’s average. The main countries of origin of the water used for food production for the Dutch population we identified were Spain, the Netherlands itself, South Africa, Chile, India and USA. Products with ingredients from Spain are several types of greenhouse vegetables, citrus fruits and juices. To lower the environmental impact related to blue water use, for the Dutch situation we conclude that beside reducing meat and dairy consumption, consuming more Dutch fruits like apples and pears, and reducing imports of fruits and nuts from e.g. Spain, Chile and USA, are relatively easy changes that will have a positive effect on the global water scarcity impact. Also, reducing the consumption of non-alcoholic beverages like coffee, soft drinks and juices, and increasing the use of tap water, is recommended to lower the Dutch blue water use within a healthy diet.