Rethinking the responsibility for China’s water withdrawal: distribution, supply chain and inequality

• Published in: Environmental research letters Vol. 20; no. 7; pp. 74030 - 74043
• Main Authors: Wei, Ziyi, Wang, Xiaomeng, Yu, Yajuan, Wang, Zhen, Huang, Kai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Economics; Inequality; input–output analysis; responsibility for water withdrawal; Supply chains; three-dimensional water footprint; Water availability; Water consumption; Water demand; Water resources; Water scarcity; China

Virtual water trade (VWT) links local water withdrawal (WW) with distant consumption. Given the significant contradictions between China’s water demand and supply, it is urgent to clarify the responsibilities for WW (RWW) in VWT. Previous studies considering this responsibility have focused solely o...