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The sustainable dietary transitions must account for the varied culinary traditions and regional food cultures to ensure a balanced and culturally sensitive approach. This study aims to explore the impact of regional preferences on culinary culture and examine ways to achieve environmentally friendly dietary transitions in China by considering the differences in the environmental burdens of various cuisines. We investigate the eight Chinese culinary traditions and depict their respective popularity in China at the city level via POI characterization based on ArcGIS. Water, carbon, and ecological footprints are selected to investigate the environmental performance of each type of cuisine. Results show that the eight cuisines vary significantly in spreads of influence and environmental performances. Chuan cuisine is the most widely disseminated cuisine with a relatively low environmental burden. The remaining seven cuisines have limited spreads of influence and are mainly distributed in small cultural regions and the surrounding areas. Hui Cuisine, Zhe Cuisine, and Min Cuisine have the worst environmental performances. This study reveals the significant impact of regional cuisines on the environmental footprint of diets and highlights the necessity of considering this impact when promoting dietary transition, especially in culturally diverse countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve rice yields while conserving water and minimizing environmental impact, a lysimeter experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University's field irrigation laboratory in Mymensingh. This study, spanning 2018–2020, aimed to measure the water footprint (WF) of the Aman-Boro-Aman rotation, considering green water footprint (GWF; rainwater) and blue water footprint (BWF; irrigation water), with a focus on climate change implications. Various irrigation methods, including rainfed and several interval-based irrigations (I9D–irrigation applied after nine days of ponded water disappearance, I6D, I3D, I3D + NP–I3D with no percolation allowed, and I1D), were evaluated. Results showed rainfed treatments had higher GWF (1155–1575 L/kg) due to reliance on inconsistent rainfall, while irrigated ones had lower GWF (375–1084 L/kg) but increased BWF, notably I1D with the highest BWF (2675 L/kg). This contrast highlights significant water usage differences among irrigation methods. The total water footprint (TWF) varied, with rainfed methods showing 1460–1960 L/kg and I1D the highest at 3603 L/kg. The consumptive water footprint ranged from 734 L/kg (I3D + NP) to 1097 L/kg (rainfed), indicating the efficiency of no-percolation strategies in water conservation. This also led to improved nutrient availability, resulting in higher plant height and rice yield. Seasonal variations in TWF were also observed, with the Aman season showing greater variability than the Boro season due to differences in rainfall and irrigation practices. The study underscores the importance of managing irrigation frequency, timing, and percolation for optimizing rice water footprints under changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industries consume 20% and 50% of global water and energy, contributing 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions. They strive to become more efficient in water and energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. This study analyzed water, energy, and carbon footprints of five manufacturing industries—automobile, cement, chemical, pulp and paper, and steel. Multi‐linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between production, water use, energy use, and carbon emission. The study also explored the potential to reduce carbon emissions by reducing water and energy usage. Among the selected industries, pulp and paper, and steel industries have higher water, energy, and carbon footprints. On average, it takes 5.58 m3 of water and 17.11 GJ of energy to produce a ton of paper, and 4.03 m3 of water and 19.52 GJ of energy to produce a ton of steel. The analysis also shows that water and energy use are closely related to production in all industries. Carbon emission is closely related to the production processes in cement, pulp and paper, and steel, and to reduce the emissions, both water and energy usage have to be reduced. The automobile industry has the highest potential to reduce carbon emissions by reducing water and energy uses, followed by steel and cement industries. By reducing 3% of their water and energy uses, automobile and steel industries, on average, have the potential to reduce 11% and 2.6% of their carbon emissions, respectively. The study explored the existing policies and recommendations for industries to achieve sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research seeks to comprehensively assess the water footprint and environmental sustainability of millet-based ethanol production in India, responding to the growing interest in resilient and nutritious alternatives. Utilizing a life cycle assessment approach, the study will scrutinize water usage across the entire production process, from millet cultivation to ethanol extraction. The primary aim is to gain an in-depth understanding of water consumption at each stage, pinpointing areas for enhancement and efficiency. Rajasthan exhibited the highest total water footprint at 6596 m3/ton, primarily due to its substantial ETc value, while Andhra Pradesh showcased the lowest at 1906 m3/ton, owing to its high average yield. Haryana displayed significant water usage during crop production, with a water footprint of 5870 m3/ton, where WFgreen, WFblue, and WFgrey contributed 3730 m3/ton, 2010 m3/ton and 130 m3/ton respectively. Uttar Pradesh demonstrated a comparatively lower total water footprint of 2564 m3/ton. These findings are anticipated to offer valuable insights into the viability and sustainability of millet-derived ethanol as an eco-friendly biofuel option in India, guiding policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in promoting its adoption and addressing environmental challenges linked with conventional fuel sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is the major constraint for cropping system intensification in the coastal region of the Ganges Delta. Salts build up on the soil surface, as well as in the crop root zone, due to the capillary rise in underground brackish water, hampering the growth and development of crops and resulting in mortality and low yields. We studied, for three years (2020–2021 to 2022–2023), the effect of conservation agricultural practices (zero tillage planting, crop residue recycling, and crop rotations) on the major soil properties (soil salinity and organic carbon status), crop performance (yield and economics), and water footprint. Conservation agricultural practices significantly reduce soil salinity, build soil organic carbon, reduce water footprint, and increase the profitability of cropping systems compared to tillage-intensive conventional practices. Under conventional agriculture, the sole cropping of rice is more profitable than double and triple cropping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the largest water user of all sectors. In arid regions in particular, achieving efficient water use in agriculture is an important way to solve water scarcity. However, the difference in water use efficiency between arid and humid regions has long been a focus of academic debate. Many studies consider water use efficiency to be higher in humid areas due to the abundance of water resources. This view is based on the fact that less irrigation in humid areas may lead to higher crop yields and better conditions for agricultural production; however, it ignores the efforts of researchers and agricultural workers in arid zones who have attempted to develop efficient water-saving technologies, as well as the effect of natural conditions on agricultural production. Correctly evaluating the efficiency of agricultural water use in arid zones is important for achieving efficient use of water resources, as well as for water management decisions. This study calculates the yield structure and water productivity of typical crops in both arid and humid regions in China based on the footprint theory and other methodologies. This approach allows for an accurate assessment of irrigation water benefits in various regions, providing a scientific basis for improving agricultural water use efficiency under different climatic conditions. The study results indicate that the average reliance on blue water for wheat and cotton gradually increases from 49.9% to 93.6% as regional aridity intensifies, ranging from the Central China Humid Region to the Northwest China Arid Region. Similarly, the average contribution of blue water to crop yield rises from 31.0% to 100%, while irrigation water productivity increases from 0.27 kg·m−3 to 0.53 kg·m−3. Finally, this study concludes that, in arid zones with lower precipitation and more hours of sunshine, a higher dependence on blue water for crop growth and development leads to a higher productivity of irrigation water. In addition, in arid zones, the focus should be on optimizing the use of irrigation water and improving irrigation technology and efficiency, while, in humid zones, there should be more use of natural precipitation to efficiently reduce dependence on irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the green efficiency of water use for grain production is one of the effective ways to reduce the scale of agricultural water use and realize the green development of agriculture. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China from 2010 to 2020, the green efficiency of water use for grain production is evaluated by using the water footprint of grain production as an input indicator and the gray water footprint of grain production as a non- desired output, using the three- stage super- efficiency SBM-Malmquist index model, based on which the rebound of water use for grain production under the condition of technological progress is measured. The study found that: (1) Factors such as planting structure, irrigation technology and nitrogen fertilizer application have a significant impact on the water use efficiency of grain production; there are significant differences in the water footprint and gray water footprint of different grains; the average growth rate of the gray water footprint is ranked as follows: central China>eastern China>western China. (2) The external environment has a significant impact on the green efficiency of water use for grain production in China; after removing the environmental factors, the mean value of comprehensive technical efficiency decreases by 0.147, the mean value of pure technical efficiency and the mean value of scale efficiency decreases by 0.018 and 0.250, respectively; the green total factor productivity of water use for grain production as a whole is in the optimization stage, which is mainly dependent on the changes of technological progress. (3) Technology, as the dominant factor in improving agricultural water use efficiency, largely influences the pace of change in the rebound effect of water use for grain production in China. In addition to the eastern region in 2017, the rebound effect of water for grain production did not occur, the rebound effect exists in all other years, and the regional development of agricultural water conservation technology is characterized by an obvious imbalance. It is recommended to strengthen the management of agricultural water resources, deepen the potential of water use efficiency improvement, optimize the input structure of food production factors, and promote the up-lift and application of water-saving technologies, so as to mitigate water environmental pollution and realize the green and sustainable development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract This research seeks to comprehensively assess the water footprint and environmental sustainability of millet-based ethanol production in India, responding to the growing interest in resilient and nutritious alternatives. Utilizing a life cycle assessment approach, the study will scrutinize water usage across the entire production process, from millet cultivation to ethanol extraction. The primary aim is to gain an in-depth understanding of water consumption at each stage, pinpointing areas for enhancement and efficiency. Rajasthan exhibited the highest total water footprint at 6596 m3/ton, primarily due to its substantial ETc value, while Andhra Pradesh showcased the lowest at 1906 m3/ton, owing to its high average yield. Haryana displayed significant water usage during crop production, with a water footprint of 5870 m3/ton, where WFgreen, WFblue, and WFgrey contributed 3730 m3/ton, 2010 m3/ton and 130 m3/ton respectively. Uttar Pradesh demonstrated a comparatively lower total water footprint of 2564 m3/ton. These findings are anticipated to offer valuable insights into the viability and sustainability of millet-derived ethanol as an eco-friendly biofuel option in India, guiding policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in promoting its adoption and addressing environmental challenges linked with conventional fuel sources.

The compound impact of limited water accessibility, population growth, economic prosperity, and climate change are the leading causes of water scarcity in Texas and challenges to its long-term water management strategies. This study assesses surface and groundwater scarcities in Texas for past and future periods, using the water footprint concept in municipal and agricultural sectors. The US Geological Survey's monthly water balance model (MWBM) outputs were used to quantify the surface and groundwater availability under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate change scenarios. Also, future water footprints in the agricultural and municipal sectors were calculated based on the 2022 Texas State Water Development Plan. The results indicate that the East Texas and Upper Coast climate divisions are projected to experience the maximum reduction in surface blue water availability. The projected decrease in groundwater availability will lead to substantial agricultural water scarcity in western climate divisions, especially in the High Plains and Trans-Pecos. In addition, the agricultural surface blue water scarcity will exceed 100% in the counties located at Lower Valley, and more groundwater scarcity will be observed at Trans-Pecos and High Plains. The municipal sector is projected to exhibit more than 100% water scarcity in limited counties. This water scarcity analysis integrates future hydrological shifts and water demands in Texas, highlighting critical areas where agricultural and urban water needs intersect and can be further extended to encompass a comprehensive socioeconomic evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Quantitatively predicting the impacts of climate change on water demands of various crops is essential for developing measures to ensure food security, sustainable agriculture, and water resources management, especially in arid regions. This study explored the water footprints (WFs) of nine major crops in the middle and downstream areas of Shule River Basin, Northwest China, from 1989 to 2020 using the WF theory and CROPWAT model and predicted the future WFs of these crops under four emission and socio-economic pathway (SSPs-RCPs) scenarios, which provides scientific support for actively responding to the negative impacts of climate change in arid regions. Results indicated: (1) an increasing trend of the overall crop WF, with blue WF accounting for 80.31–99.33% of the total WF in the last 30 years. Owing to differences of planting structure, water-conservation technologies, and other factors, the multi-year average WF per unit area of crops was 0.75 × 104 m3 hm−2 in downstream area, which was higher than that in midstream area (0.57 × 104 m3 hm−2) in the last 30 years; therefore agricultural water use efficiency in the downstream area was lower than that in the midstream area, implying that the midstream area has more efficient agricultural water utilization. (2) an initial increase and then decrease of crop WFs in the study area under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios by the end of the century, reaching their peak in 2030s which was higher than that from 1989 to 2020; with the maximum growth rates in the midstream area ranging from −0.85% in SSP5-8.5 to 5.33% in SSP2-4.5 and 29.74% in SSP5-8.5 to 34.71% in SSP2-4.5 in the downstream area. The local agricultural water demand would continue to increase and water scarcity issues would be more severe in the next 10–20 years, affecting downstream areas more. Under the SSP3-7.0 scenario, crop WF values of the midstream and downstream regions will be 2.63 × 108 m3 and 4.22 × 108 m3 in 2030, respectively, which is significantly higher than those of other scenarios and show a long-term growth trend. The growth rate of the midstream and downstream regions will reach 44.71% and 81.12%, respectively, by the end of this century, so the local agricultural water use would be facing more strain if this scenario materializes in the future. Therefore, the Shule River Basin should encourage development of water-saving irrigation technologies, adjust the planting ratio of high water consuming crops, and identify other measures to improve water resource utilization efficiency to cope with future water resource pressures.

As urbanisation continues to accelerate in China, the contradiction between rapid economic development and water scarcity in semi-arid cities is becoming increasingly evident. Consequently, the study of the relationship between water resources use and economic growth is of particular importance. Lanzhou City was selected as the study area, an evaluation index system was established to comprehensively evaluate the status of water resources utilisation, meanwhile, the water footprint method and Tapio decoupling model were adopted to measure the decoupling status between water utilisation and economic development from 2002 to 2021. The result showed that the total water footprint and per capita water footprint followed an increasing and then decreasing trend. The water footprint varied significantly by industrial sector, with agriculture accounting for 72.87% of total water use. The self-sufficiency rate of water resources was above 96.5%. The economic value increased substantially from 22.25 CNY/m3 in 2002 to 183.99 CNY/m3 in 2021. The water scarcity index and the pressure index were high, with annual mean values of 0.96 and 1, respectively. Water consumption and economic growth are generally decoupled weakly and strongly, with the number of strong decoupling occurrences increasing significantly from 2011 to 2021. HIGHLIGHTS In the semi-arid regions of Lanzhou City, agricultural water use was the largest flow of water resources.; To relieve stress on water resources and promote stable socio-economic development, this study combined the Tapio decoupling model to analyze the water resources.; Paths of realising sustainable water consumption while developing economy are discussed.;

Objectives In modern society, domestic wastewater treatment plants are essential infrastructure. However these facilities are also major sources of significant greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate the climate crisis and move towards a sustainable society, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from domestic wastewater treatment plants is an urgent task. Achieving this requires the integrated application of technological improvements and institutional measures. Methods Fundamental strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from domestic wastewater treatment plants include detailed categorization and quantification of emission sources, the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction facilities, and the enforcement of water usage reduction policies. This study uses modeling software to estimate the detailed emissions of greenhouse gases generated during the domestic wastewater treatment process. Additionally, it establishes the baseline treatment process of the domestic wastewater treatment plant and analyzes the greenhouse gas reduction effects of each facility by incorporating technological methods such as anaerobic digesters and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Furthermore, it evaluates the impact of reducing water usage through water footprint (WF) labeling on greenhouse gas emissions from the domestic wastewater treatment plant as an institutional approach. Results and Discussion In scenario analysis, the implementation of anaerobic digesters results in a 6.7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the baseline, while the addition of CHP systems to anaerobic digestion is predicted to reduce emissions by 29.1%. By integrating CHP systems with anaerobic digesters and applying WF labeling, a reduction of 38.3% in greenhouse gas emissions from the domestic wastewater treatment plant compared to the baseline is anticipated. These results demonstrate the significant role of implementing anaerobic digesters, CHP systems, and WF labeling in achieving the carbon neutrality goal of domestic wastewater treatment plants. Conclusion The integrated application of technological methods, institutional approaches, and detailed emission calculations through process modeling can be considered crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from domestic wastewater treatment plants.

Abstract In the years 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, an experiment was carried out at the IFS Unit, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar in order to determine the best one-acre integrated farming system model for Telangana's small and marginal farmers. Seven farm models among which six models were developed by combining the various components i.e., cropping systems, fruit cropfodder crops and livestock components, in different proportions, and compared with rice-groundnut system which is a major farming approach in Telangana using randomized block design. The seven models were as follows: M1: Rice–Groundnut; M2: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize; M3: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Pigeonpea + Maize (1:3)—Sunhemp; Napier grass, Sheep (5 + 1); M4: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize, Pigeonpea + Maize (1:3)—Sunhemp, Poultry unit; M5: Guava, Hedge Lucerne, Napier grass, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize, Sheep (5 + 1); M6: Guava, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize, Rice–Groundnut, Poultry; M7: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Pigeonpea + Maize (1:3)—Sunhemp; Napier grass, Hedge lucerne, Poultry (100), Sheep (5 + 1). Based on a 2-year average, the Model M7 system produced 9980 Rice Grain Equivalent Yield(RGEY)kg of output per acre, with gross and net returns of ₹210,439 and ₹124,953 respectively, and recovered a B:C ratio of 2.46. It has recorded highest sustainable yield index (SYI) of 0.673 and value index of 0.772 with the lowest water footprint of 259.0 L/kg. This study reveals that adopting an integrated farming system is the optimal approach for effectively combining productive, financially rewarding, and diversified enterprises within a single acre of land.d. This system should be recommended for maximum benefits to smallto small and marginal farmers in Telangana's southern hills and plateau.

The main challenges facing the agricultural sector in Sistan plain include scarcity of water resources, inadequate water rationing, and suboptimal cultivation patterns. Based on this, the main objective of this study was to determine the optimal cultivation pattern of agricultural crops by considering the virtual water and water footprint and assessing the impact on water consumption in this region. To achieve this objective, virtual water indicators and green, blue and gray water footprints of agricultural crops were calculated to quantify water consumption in the Sistan region. Then, considering the virtual water and water footprint, the optimal pattern of plant cultivation was determined using a fuzzy ideal programming model. The optimization model results were tested based on a system dynamics approach in the Vensim PLE8.3.5 software. The results showed that the virtual water content of agricultural products in this region was 2.69 m3/kg. The annual water requirement of agricultural crops was 1019 MCM, of which 62% is met. After optimizing the cultivation pattern, the water requirement reduced to 600 MCM per year, of which 89% is supplied. Additionally, the optimization of cultivation patterns increased water supply to the environmental sector from 138 to 240 MCM per year.

Considering the importance of sustainable nutrition, it is important that hospitals' meal menus are planned to ensure the lowest possible environmental footprint. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the environmental effects of hospital menus and the changes that may occur when these menus are planned according to the Turkey Dietary Guidelines and Mediterranean diet recommendations. In this context, first, the yearly environmental footprints of the standard meal menus of the state university hospitals in Turkey (n = 42), including water footprint (WF) and greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) values, were determined. Second, changes in the environmental footprint as a result of arranging the standard meal menus of state university hospitals according to the Turkey Dietary Guidelines and Mediterranean nutritional models were evaluated. It was determined that the average WF and GHGE values of hospital menus were 137,280 ± 18537.2 L/month and 140.0 ± 18.4 kg CO2‐eq/month, respectively. Adjusting state university hospitals' standard meal menus according to Turkey Dietary Guidelines and Mediterranean nutritional models reduced WF by 24.8% to 103206.7 L/month and 37.8% to 85420.5 L/month, and GHGEs by 31.7% to 95.5 kg CO2‐eq/month and 49% to 71.3 kg CO2‐eq/month, respectively. In addition, it was determined that hospital meal menus planned according to the Turkey Dietary Guidelines and the Mediterranean nutritional model contained lower saturated fat and cholesterol and higher dietary fiber. In conclusion, planning hospital menus according to the Turkey Dietary Guidelines and Mediterranean nutritional recommendations can reduce the environmental footprint of hospital food services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural water productivity is crucial for sustainability amidst the escalating demand for food. Cereals are pivotal in providing nutritious food at affordable prices. This study was based on Ghanaian data spanning from 1992 to 2021 to evaluate water usage in the cultivation of major cereals. It also examined the virtual water losses or gains in cereal trade alongside influencing factors. The analysis utilized secondary data encompassing the virtual water content, production quantity, export and import quantities, distance, GDP per capita, population, and land per capita of Ghana and its 75 trade partners. In the last 5 years, crop water use (CWU) reached an average of 7.08 billion m3/yr for maize, 3.48 billion m3/yr for rice, 1.08 billion m3/yr for sorghum, and 0.63 billion m3/yr for millet production. Ghana's major partners for exported virtual water (EVW) were Niger, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Togo. Major partners for imported virtual water (IVW) were Argentina, South Africa, Ukraine, Togo, Russia, Burkina Faso, Canada, Senegal, Nigeria, Portugal, UK, Niger, and the USA. The Panel Least Squares Method of regression was used to apply the Gravity Model principle in assessing influencing factors. The findings indicate that Ghana is a net importer of virtual water in the cereal trade, with significant influences from geographical distance, GDP per capita, population, land per capita, and cereal water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of high-quality development, scientifically and objectively assessing regional ecosystem health (EH) is important for ecological civilization. However, the commonly used EH assessment framework typically neglects intrinsic connections, mutual adaptability, and coordination among interrelated indicators. The coupling coordination model was utilized to improve the classic pressure–state–response assessment (PSR) model. The carbon footprint, water footprint, landscape pattern, and response status of the Manas River Basin were used to construct a medium-scale regional EH assessment framework linking natural ecosystems with human socioeconomic elements. A quantitative assessment was conducted on the EH conditions of the Manas River Basin from 2000 to 2020. Over the past 21 years, the EH conditions of the Manas River Basin have fluctuated upward. The ecosystem health index (EHI) increased from 0.18 to 0.37. Compared with the conventional PSR model, the coupling coordination pressure–state–response model (CC–PSR) better reflected the fluctuations in EH conditions caused by "pressure", "state", and "response" level changes. In the early stage (2000–2006), increasing human activity strongly pressured the regional ecosystem, limiting EH improvements. The increase in "pressure" was reflected in the increasing trends of the water footprint, carbon footprint, and ecological footprint. During the middle to late period (2009–2020), as the "response" level improved, the regional EH condition continued to increase, and the EHI stabilized between 0.29 and 0.38. Ecosystem resilience improvements and human afforestation projects enhanced the "response" level, but their impacts were noticeably delayed. Over the past 21 years, regional landscape diversity, landscape connectance, and landscape contagion have remained high. The well-maintained landscape pattern has laid the foundation for consolidating and improving the regional EH. The EHI is increasing; its fluctuations stem from periodic fluctuations in the regional water yield and carbon sequestration capacity, which are constrained by the basin climate and vegetation coverage. This study provides a scientific model for basin EH assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustenance of rice cultivation in a region is highly dependent on future water availability under changing climate. The dams and reservoirs can play a major role in regional water availability since their storage capacity can cushion the water stress due to changes in rainfall and temperature patterns. The current study developed a simulation modelling framework to quantify the water availability and demand on a taluk scale in the command area of the Malampuzha Irrigation Project (MIP). The Blue and Green water footprint concept is used to analyse the water availability and demand in the region. The loosely coupled framework of SWAT, DSSAT, and a Reservoir Simulation Module helps to generate the hydrological and crop yield projections of the region according to the CMIP6 climate model projections. The analysis is carried out at a seasonal scale on decadal basis with a historical period spanning from 2016 to 2019 and a future period spanning from 2020 to 2100. The results suggest that eastern side of MIP command area experiences lower water availability due to lower green and blue water distribution, particularly affecting the regions of Palakkad and Chittur taluk. The study introduces an integrated water footprint score (IWFS) at taluk scale, which combines green and blue water footprint to assess the annual water demand variations in the region. The taluks Alathur and Palakkad are in the high risk category towards the end of the century as per the water footprint score. Towards the end of the century, an increase in rainfall by 67% and temperature by 6% has resulted in a decrease in rice yield by 13.2% during kharif and 52.5% during rabi season under SSP585 scenario. The study helps to identify critical water stress zones within the command area and prioritize the implementation of adaptation measures within the command area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the years 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, an experiment was carried out at the IFS Unit, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar in order to determine the best one-acre integrated farming system model for Telangana's small and marginal farmers. Seven farm models among which six models were developed by combining the various components i.e., cropping systems, fruit cropfodder crops and livestock components, in different proportions, and compared with rice-groundnut system which is a major farming approach in Telangana using randomized block design. The seven models were as follows: M1: Rice–Groundnut; M2: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize; M3: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Pigeonpea + Maize (1:3)—Sunhemp; Napier grass, Sheep (5 + 1); M4: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize, Pigeonpea + Maize (1:3)—Sunhemp, Poultry unit; M5: Guava, Hedge Lucerne, Napier grass, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize, Sheep (5 + 1); M6: Guava, Bt cotton + Greengram (1:2)—Maize, Rice–Groundnut, Poultry; M7: Rice–Groundnut, Pigeonpea + Sweetcorn (1:3)—Bajra, Pigeonpea + Maize (1:3)—Sunhemp; Napier grass, Hedge lucerne, Poultry (100), Sheep (5 + 1). Based on a 2-year average, the Model M7 system produced 9980 Rice Grain Equivalent Yield(RGEY)kg of output per acre, with gross and net returns of ₹210,439 and ₹124,953 respectively, and recovered a B:C ratio of 2.46. It has recorded highest sustainable yield index (SYI) of 0.673 and value index of 0.772 with the lowest water footprint of 259.0 L/kg. This study reveals that adopting an integrated farming system is the optimal approach for effectively combining productive, financially rewarding, and diversified enterprises within a single acre of land.d. This system should be recommended for maximum benefits to smallto small and marginal farmers in Telangana's southern hills and plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food plays a dual role in promoting human health and environmental sustainability. Yet, current food systems jeopardize both. Food waste poses a major global challenge due to its significant economic, social, and environmental impacts. Healthcare facilities generate the largest amounts of food waste compared to other forms of catering provision. Food waste correlates with environmental unsustainability and diminished patient satisfaction, compounding the prevalent challenge of hospital malnutrition and contributing to suboptimal patient outcomes. Materials and methods: In a three-year interventional study (2020-2022) at a psychiatric tertiary care center, we assessed and mitigated food waste using evidence-based measures. We conducted systematic food wastage audits over three years (2020-2022) in May and June, each lasting four weeks. Costs were analyzed comprehensively, covering food, staff, infrastructure, and disposal. Environmental impact was assessed using Umweltbelastungspunkte (UBP) and CO2e/kg emissions, alongside water usage (H2O - l/kg). Results: Economic losses due to food wastage were substantial, primarily from untouched plates and partially consumed dinners, prompting meal planning adjustments. Despite a >3% increase in meals served, both food waste mass and costs decreased by nearly 6%. Environmental impact indicators showed a reduction >20%. Vegetables, salad, and fruits constituted a significant portion of waste. Overproduction minimally contributed to waste, validating portion control efficacy. Conclusion: Our study highlights significant economic and environmental losses due to hospital food waste, emphasizing the importance of resource efficiency. The strategies outlined offer promising avenues for enhanced efficiency. The decrease in food waste observed over the three-year period underscores the potential for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has exacerbated the contradiction between water scarcity and sustainable agricultural development. Assessing the crop water use efficiency and its influencing factors could provide a decision-making reference to realize Sustainable Development Goal 2. By analyzing the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of the crop water footprint, the blue water footprint, green water footprint, and grey water footprint were introduced into the super efficiency slack-based measure model to evaluate the crop water use efficiency in basins. The influence of the driving factors was examined by using the geographic detector model. The situation in the provinces along the Yellow River Basin from 2005 to 2020 was used as a verification case. The results indicated that (1) during the study period, crop water use in the basin was mainly based on the blue water footprint, accounting for approximately 55% of the total water footprint, the grey water footprint, accounting for approximately 30% of the total water footprint, and the green water footprint, accounting for the lowest proportion, at approximately 15%. (2) The crop water use efficiency exhibited a spatial distribution pattern of high values in the east and low values in the west, with obvious upstream provinces disposable income of rural residents (0.71) > population urbanization rate (0.65) > degree of agricultural mechanization (0.63) > agricultural disaster rate (0.61). Furthermore, the interaction effects between the driving factors were greater than the effects of the single factors. The study provides an important reference for understanding the changes, driving mechanisms, and impacts of crop water use efficiency in basin areas. It promotes green agricultural transformation and development to address climate change and alleviate the pressure on water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating water footprints and virtual water into crop redistribution provides a new approach for efficient water resources utilization and synergistic development of water surplus and scarce regions. In this work, the absolute and comparative advantage of the production‐based blue and gray water footprint (PWFblue and PWFgray), the calorie‐based blue water footprint (CWFblue) and the net benefit‐based blue water footprint (NBWFblue) were used as coefficients to establish a bi‐level crop redistribution model. The mode considers upper‐level decision makers interested in maximizing food security and ecological security and lower‐level decision makers interested in water use efficiency, water use benefits and net benefits. The model was applied in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. The results showed that after optimization, the PWFblue, CWFblue, NBWFblue, and gray water footprint (GWF) of the HID were reduced by 23.32%, 5.60%, 17.40%, and 6.67%, respectively. National benefits were improved, especially when considering synergistic optimization, although the net benefits of HID was affected. The calorie supply increased by 9.6 × 109 kcal, the GWF decreased by 8.29 × 106 m3, and water use efficiency and benefits were improved in China. In contrast, the calorie supply and the net benefits of the HID decreased, while the GWF increased. Moreover, multiple stakeholders were involved in crop redistribution and required national synergies. The bi‐level model proved more suitable than the multi‐objective model. The model proposed in this work considers synergies outside the region in crop redistribution within the region, and can provide new insight for water and soil resources management in arid and semi‐arid regions. Key Points: Virtual water flow embedded in optimization model reflecting comparative advantageAbsolute advantage and comparative advantage synergize interregional interestsBi‐level optimization model trade‐offs regional authority and sub‐regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrological region 36 in Mexico (RH36) faces significant water stress and tends towards agricultural mono-production. Following the regulation of its main rivers, the Nazas and Aguanaval, through dam construction and canalization, the flow of water in the lower basin of the Nazas River has become negligible, which has altered the riverfronts of major cities in the region. Consequently, Torreón, Gómez Palacio, and Lerdo, which are part of the La Laguna Metropolitan Zone (ZML), have expanded into new territories along the riverbanks and adjacent recharge areas. Establishing the boundaries of specific watersheds is crucial for the implementation of targeted rural and urban intervention strategies. This approach enhances understanding of interactions between the natural hydromorphology of a hydrological region, water infrastructure (dams, canals, reservoirs), and the urban and rural landscape. To effectively plan based on watershed boundaries, it is essential to develop hybrid cartographies that integrate urban, architectural, agricultural, and hydrological delineations. These maps provide valuable indicators for watershed-based planning, which facilitates precise hydrological urban restoration strategies tailored to specific basins. This research focuses on developing and presenting such hybrid cartographies, which combine hydrological, rural, and geographic data. This methodology aligns with the overarching objective of mitigating water stress in RH36 and promoting a transition towards more sustainable forms of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry presents a significant environmental challenge due to its substantial environmental footprint, utilization of limited natural resources, and contribution to pollution and climate change. Additionally, optimizing the weight, cost, and duration of construction is crucial for enhancing serviceability, flexibility, efficiency, and profitability. In this research, the relationship between structure weight and other objective functions was explored using the single-objective gray wolf algorithm to investigate their impact on carbon footprint, water footprint, and construction time. Furthermore, employing a multi-objective optimization algorithm, a building structure was optimized for three systems featuring different structural frames based on the specified objective functions. The results revealed that the structure with intermediate steel moment-resisting frames exhibited the shortest construction time but incurred the highest construction cost. Conversely, the structure with intermediate steel moment-resisting frames with special steel concentric bracing demonstrated the lowest carbon footprint and water footprint among the studied structural frames. Consequently, the structure with intermediate steel moment-resisting frames with special concentric steel bracing was proposed as a green structure, emphasizing its environmentally friendly characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Tapio-LMDI model was constructed by combining the water footprint theory with the decoupling theory and LMDI method to analyze the decoupling effect between water resources utilization and economic development in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020. The result showed that although the per capita water footprint and self-sufficiency rate of water resources were relatively high, and the pressure of water shortage had been alleviated, the total water resources still failed to meet the needs of production and life, and were still in a state of shortage. In Anhui Province, the largest flow industry of water resources was agriculture, the proportion of ecological water use was the smallest, and industrial and domestic water use showed a slow increase trend. On the whole, water resources utilization and economic development showed a weak decoupling state, technology effect decoupling factor and industrial structure effect decoupling factor were the main influencing factors to promote the decoupling, the decoupling factors of scale economy effect and resident population effect had negative driving effects, and the effect of resident population decoupling factor on decoupling was relatively small. Therefore, it is necessary to vigorously develop water-saving technology, optimize and upgrade industrial structure, and enhance residents' awareness of water-saving, so as to promote the sustainable development of water resources and economy in Anhui Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sichuan Basin is a major grain-producing area in Sichuan Province. Agricultural water usage also accounts for 65.5% of the total provincial water consumption. However, the low efficiency of agricultural water use has limited water resource security and sustainable utilization in the context of significant seasonal and regional water shortages. It is very necessary to explore the crop water use for water use efficiency. In this study, the crop planting structure was optimized to evaluate the crop water use efficiency from the perspective of water footprint. Firstly, the water consumption of three major grain crops in the Sichuan Basin was quantified by water footprint theory. An analysis was made of the temporal and spatial variation of crop water consumption. Secondly, a multi-objective optimization model was constructed to minimize the blue and gray water footprints for the economic benefits. The optimal crop planting structure was obtained under different water-saving scenarios (5%, 10%, and 15%). Finally, the water resources efficiency was used to clarify the agricultural water use efficiency before and after optimization. The results showed that: 1) The water consumption of crop production showed a downward trend from 2001 to 2021. But the downward trend was significantly different. The blue water footprint and irrigation loss decreased the most, whereas, the green water footprint decreased the least. There was a gradual decrease from northeast to southwest, indicating the significant spatial difference. 2) Under the scenarios of water saving 5%, 10%, and 15%, the optimization of planting structure showed that the area of rice and wheat decreased, whereas, the area of corn increased. Among them, the blue water footprint decreased by 21.27%, 22.24%, and 23.71%, respectively, while the gray water footprint decreased by 12.68%, 13.39%, and 18.46%, respectively, and the agricultural output value increased by 3.47%, 2.48%, and 0.96%, respectively. 3) The crop water use efficiency first fluctuated and then slowly increased, thus reaching a peak in 2021; the water use efficiency of crops showed a non-equilibrium trend with the high in the north and south, while the low in the middle in space. 4) After the optimization of the planting structure, the total efficiency of water use increased by 1.68%, 1.49%, and 1.03%, respectively, under the scenarios of saving water by 5%, 10%, and 15%, compared with that in 2020; The increasing planting area of corn and the reducing planting area of rice and wheat was sed to more significantly improve the crop water use efficiency. There were two contributions after optimization. Firstly, the spatial difference in crop water use was clarified from the perspective of water footprint. Secondly, the optimization model of crop planting structure with strong applicability was established to realize the dynamic adjustment of crop area. The finding can provide a strong reference to managing agricultural water resources, in order to improve crop water use efficiency for food security [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordinated development of water and soil resource matching and grain production is essential to enhance integrated grain production capacity and promote sustainable development in agriculture. Based on the perspective of a water footprint, this article empirically evaluates the coupling coordination relationship between water and soil resource matching and grain production in typical black soil areas in Northeast China using the coupled coordination degree and the obstacle model and further analyzes the obstacle factors that affect the coordination between the two systems. The results indicate that the blue water footprint, green water footprint, and total water footprint of five grain crops are increasing year by year. Soybean has the largest water footprint per unit mass, tubers have the smallest, and rice has the largest water footprint among cereals. The overall matching degree of water and soil resources in the study area is steadily increasing. However, there are significant differences in the water and soil resource matching coefficients between regions, with the highest being observed in Hegang City and the lowest being observed in Jiamusi City. Coupling remains at a high level and coupling coordination shifts from a low–middle–high to a middle–high stage. The correlation between soil and water resource matching and grain production systems is of significant importance. The degree of matching between water and soil resources serves as the primary obstacle affecting the coupling and coordinated development of integrated systems, which fundamentally restricts the sustainable development of regional agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the water use efficiency and fairness of urban agglomerations and promote ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, the Guanzhong Plain urban agglomeration was taken as a case. On the basis of analyzing the sustainable utilization level of water resources by using the water footprint and water planet boundary, the super-efficiency SBM model and the GML index were used to explore the water use efficiency of the urban agglomeration. And Gini coefficient and contribution coefficient were established to evaluate the impact of water use fairness on urban agglomeration. The results show that the water footprint, water deficit and grey water footprint of Guanzhong Plain urban agglomeration decrease by 4.52%, 3.62% and 59.79%, respectively. The unsustainability of water resources and water pollution has been improved. The water use efficiency is insufficient and does not show the growth trend. The positive interaction between technical efficiency and technical progress has not been achieved. The water resources occupation is relatively fair, but the fairness degree between water pollution and urban development, water carrying capacity decreases significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water footprints have been widely used to illustrate the consumption of water in many situations, for instance, in products, processes, or regions of interest. In this work, we analyzed—using a sensitivity analysis approach—the effect of some variables in the calculation of the water footprint in the viticulture in the Brazilian Serra Gaúcha (the major producing region of Brazilian wine). The classical Penman–Monteith model for evapotransporation was considered, with uncertainties in some parameters (dead mulch covering a fraction of the vineyard, maximum temperatures for some months, the altitudes and latitudes of the site). A sensitivity analysis was conducted using the SAFE toolbox under Octave framework. The results indicated that the the portion of the water footprint corresponding to evapotranspiration is more sensitive to the values of the mulch-covered fraction and the altitude of the site in comparison with the latitude and the maximum temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argentina stands as the leading producer and exporter of olive products in the Americas, with the province of La Rioja as its main productive area. Since the 1990s, the olive grove cultivated area and related agro-industry in La Rioja have expanded. However, the resulting wastewater has generally been neglected. The water footprint (WF) provides information about the water volume consumed and polluted by a production process. Since the 1990s, agricultural and agro-industrial activities in La Rioja have experienced substantial growth. This study aims to analyze the generation, quality, and management of Oil Mill Wastewater (OMWW) using the grey WF of chloride and nitrate as an indicator and focusing on two olive mills (OM) in La Rioja. Additionally, it seeks to examine the relationship between the international trade of provincial olive oil and the estimated grey WF. For the diagnosis of OMWW generation, a description of the production process was made coupled with flow and physico-chemical characterization. The total grey WF was 8.69 and 45.5 L water/L olive oil for OM 1 and OM 2, respectively. Nitrate was identified as the critical pollutant. The grey virtual water export related to the export of olive oil was 5569 m3 for OM 1 and 28,000 m3 for OM 2. The provincial grey virtual water export related to olive oil was 161,955 m3 with major trade destinations including Spain, the United States, and Brazil. The article analyses for the first time the grey WF of olive oil industries and assess the related grey virtual water exports. This research represents a step forward in the knowledge of wastewater management in the olive oil sector and facilitates the search for solutions to minimize negative environmental impacts while promoting cleaner production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are studies on the effect of general nutrition education on diet quality and anthropometric measurements, while studies showing the effectiveness of sustainable nutrition education, which also addresses the effect of food on the environment, are quite limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sustainable nutrition education on diet quality, anthropometric measurements, and the carbon footprint (CFP) and water footprint (WFP) of diet. A total of 160 university students received 1 h of sustainable nutrition education for 6 weeks. Before, at the end of, and 2 months after the courses, 24 h food consumption records were taken to assess diet quality and CFP and WFP values of diet, and Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020 scores were evaluated. The results of the study showed that sustainable nutrition education increased MedDiet score by 1.86 points and HEI-2020 score by 7.38 points. This education program also decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and neck circumference. Sustainability education has a positive impact on calcium, potassium, and magnesium intakes, a negative impact on vitamin B12 and zinc intakes, and no effect on total protein intake. Education resulted in a 22% reduction in CFP and a 10% reduction in WFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Civil infrastructure underpins urban receipts of food, energy, and water (FEW) produced in distant watersheds. In this study, we map flows of FEW goods from watersheds of the contiguous United States to major population centers and highlight the critical infrastructure that supports FEW flows. To do this, we draw upon detailed records of agriculture, electricity, and public water supply production and couple them with commodity flow and infrastructure information. We also compare the flows of virtual water embedded in food and energy commodity flows with physical water flows in inter‐basin water transfer projects around the country. We found that the virtual blue water transfers through crops and electricity to major US cities was 53 billion and 8 billion m3 in 2017, respectively, while physical interbasin water transfers for crops, electricity, and public supply water averaged 20.8 billion m3. Highways are the primary infrastructure used to import virtual water associated with food and fuel into cities, although waterways and railways are most utilized for long‐distance transport. All of the 204 watersheds in the contiguous US support the food, energy, and/or water supplies of major US cities, with dependencies stretching far beyond each city's borders. Still, most cities source the majority of their FEW and embedded water resources from nearby watersheds. Infrastructure such as water supply dams and inland ports serve as important buffers for both local and supply‐chain sourced water stress. These findings can inform efforts to reduce water resources and infrastructure risks in domestic supply chains. Key Points: Civil infrastructure enables US cities to access FEW resources from distant watershedsMost cities depend on nearby watersheds for FEW and embedded waterVirtual water transfers through food and energy exceed physical water transfers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet is considered one of the most important determinants of health and at the same time a cause of climate change. We conducted a cross-sectional study in three Italian hospital canteens on five consecutive working days to investigate food offer availability and user choices in terms of nutritional intake and environmental impact. Photos of lunch trays were collected by the researchers and food offer and choices were analysed using the Italian Food Composition Database for Epidemiological Studies and the SU-EATABLE LIFE dataset. A total of 1227 lunch meals were analysed. The median energy intake ranged from 646 to 900 kcal/tray. The median energy content from lipids ranged from 32 to 40 % of energy and exceeded that from carbohydrates in one canteen. The median carbon and water footprint ranged from 773 to 1338 g CO2 eq./tray and from 847 to 1229 L H2O/tray, respectively. Differences occurred depending on sex and typology of work. In conclusion, regardless of the differences in the number of food options offered in the three canteens, the choices tended to be suboptimal from a nutritional perspective. The most sustainable choices were made in the canteen without beef on offer. Measures should be taken to increase the variety of vegan and vegetarian options on offer and to improve food choices in terms of nutritional composition and environmental sustainability. This could be done through educational programmes focused on increasing awareness on their diet, and practical indications on how to compose a complete and low impact meal.

In a changing environment, a comprehensive and accurate water security assessment is critical to regional sustainable development. Most water security assessment studies concentrate on the sustainable use of blue water and less on green water, while the latter is irreplaceable to sustain food production. Considering the vital role that green water plays in maintaining human production and ecosystem stability. Here we incorporate green water into the water security assessment framework, proposing a blue-green water security index (BGWSI) and conducting a case study in the Xiangjiang River Basin (XRB). Two main conclusions are as follows: (a) combining green water to improve the water security assessment framework. The framework expands and extends the connotation of water security assessment and pioneers linking the attributes of water resources, like natural, social, and spatial benefit distances. In this way, the intrinsic connection between human activities and the risk status of regional blue-green water security can be grasped more comprehensively. (b) The case study reveals that the framework is feasible and applicable. The index BGWSI can better reflect the influence of basin green water resource fluctuation, green water footprint dynamics, spatial distance, and other factors on the overall water security risk. Incorporating green water and its related concepts into the water security assessment framework would provide new insight into water security assessment research, and we hope it will provide a more comprehensive reference for conducting regional blue-green water security assessment research. Also, the framework would be popularized and applied in more similar areas of blue-green water security assessment studies, which may contribute to accurately identifying the actual status of regional water security and promote the development of more scientific water management measures.

Water footprints have been widely used to illustrate the consumption of water in many situations, for instance, in products, processes, or regions of interest. In this work, we analyzed—using a sensitivity analysis approach—the effect of some variables in the calculation of the water footprint in the viticulture in the Brazilian Serra Gaúcha (the major producing region of Brazilian wine). The classical Penman–Monteith model for evapotransporation was considered, with uncertainties in some parameters (dead mulch covering a fraction of the vineyard, maximum temperatures for some months, the altitudes and latitudes of the site). A sensitivity analysis was conducted using the SAFE toolbox under Octave framework. The results indicated that the the portion of the water footprint corresponding to evapotranspiration is more sensitive to the values of the mulch-covered fraction and the altitude of the site in comparison with the latitude and the maximum temperatures.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have positive and negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) can provide a more holistic framework for performance evaluation than the conventional approach. This study added water footprint (WF) to LCIA and defined ϕ index for accounting for the damage ratio of carbon footprint (CF) to WF. The application of these innovations was verified by comparing the performance of 26 WWTPs. These facilities are located in four different climates in Iran, serve between 1,900 and 980,000 people, and have treatment units like activated sludge, aerated lagoon, and stabilization pond. Here, grey water footprint (GWF) calculated the ecological impacts through typical pollutants. Blue water footprint (BWF) included the productive impacts of wastewater reuse, and CF estimated CO2 emissions from WWTPs. Results showed that GWF was the leading factor. ϕ was 4–7.5% and the average WF of WWTPs was 0.6 m3/ca, which reduced 84%, to 0.1 m³/ca, through wastewater reuse. Here, wastewater treatment and reuse in larger WWTPs, particularly with activated sludge had lower cumulative impacts. Since this method takes more items than the conventional approach, it is recommended for integrated evaluation of WWTPs, mainly in areas where the water–energy nexus is a paradigm for sustainable development. HIGHLIGHTS An integrated method was developed for comparing WWTPs' performance.; Grey and blue water footprints were added to LCIA as environmental indices.; Method applicability was verified by comparing 26 WWTPs.; Larger WWTPs with activated sludge comparatively had less environmental impacts.; Wastewater treatment and reuse reduced 92% of environmental damage.; A new index for water–energy nexus in WWTPs was introduced.;