ABSTRACT
Water Footprint Assessment can be useful. It is potentially helpful for business analysts, communications experts and policy-makers as much as for water experts. Much of the value of Water Footprint tools stem from their ability to inform analyses of consequences and constraints of economic activity linked to water resources and freshwater ecosystems. Most tools are designed to help with specific tasks. Water Footprint Assessment is no exception. It has helped to improve understanding of the hydrological interdependence of nations, linked to international trade. Water Footprint has been especially effective for strategic business risk assessment and for motivating CEO and board-level engagement. A Water Footprint Assessment is not a silver bullet though. Methodologies are evolving. Other tools are often required to address water-related risks. Responses to Water Footprint data need to take account of broader environmental, social and economic issues, which are dictated by local context.
