Virtual water in interprovincial trade with implications for China's water policy. (15th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Yongkai; Cai, Wenjia; Du, Pengfei; Pan, Wenqing; Wang, Can
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 87(2015:Jan. 15)
• Page Start: 655
• Page End: 665
• Publication Date: 2015-01-15
• Subjects: Multi-regional input–output model -- Virtual water -- Water scarcity -- Driving force; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.10.074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: With increased social wealth and economic development, provinces in China have also faced serious water shortages. In this paper, we implemented a multi-regional input–output framework to evaluate the pressures posed by human consumption of water resources, as well as the water displacement in the thirty provinces of China. The most recent available multi-regional I/O data has been applied in the study. We found that some water scarce provinces were still net virtual water exporters (such as Ningxia, Hebei and Xinjiang), while some water deficit and developed regions such as Beijing and Tianjin relied heavily on external water sources. Further detailed analysis revealed that huge disparities of water intensities, export constitutions and consumption patterns all contributed to the virtual water transfers among provinces. With economic growth and urbanization taking place all over the country, less developed provinces may be locked in water intensive economies due to consumption from developed provinces, and some arid provinces may hardly support a harmonious development between the economy and water resource protection. In addition to enhancing water efficiency and promoting a green consumption-production system, we suggest that market-based water pricing and a nationwide virtual water compensation scheme be adopted by China's government. Highlights: The arid western provinces export virtual water to developed provinces. The arid developed provinces import virtual water from inland provinces. Technological level and trade structure are two main causes of virtual water trade. Historical policy failures also contribute to the water contradictions in China. An interprovincial virtual water compensation scheme is advocated.