ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how the water footprint of consumption per person varies across nations and also within countries. It argues that there is a need for water footprint reduction by those who have very large water footprints if people want to meet the basic needs of everyone. The chapter presents three pathways to share water more fairly: allocate water to fulfil the basic needs of all, which means that many of will need to change consumption to a less water-intensive pattern and increase water-use efficiency in production. It also includes trade water-intensive commodities from water-rich to water-poor areas in support of people in water-stressed regions. The chapter also argues that shifting to a less water-intensive consumption pattern means that addresses meat, food waste and biofuels in particular. It discusses the idea of fair water footprint shares and the need for an international agreement on national water footprint reduction targets.
