View in EDS

Indicating the wrong track? A critical appraisal of water productivity as an indicator to inform water efficiency policies.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Indicating the wrong track? A critical appraisal of water productivity as an indicator to inform water efficiency policies.
Authors: Ozcelik, Nadin1 (AUTHOR) nozcelik@uvigo.es, Rodríguez, Miguel2 (AUTHOR) miguel.r@uvigo.es, Lutter, Stephan3 (AUTHOR) stephan.lutter@wu.ac.at, Sartal, Antonio1 (AUTHOR) antoniosartal@uvigo.es
Source: Resources, Conservation & Recycling. May2021, Vol. 168, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subject Terms: *Water efficiency, *Natural resources, *Water consumption, *Agricultural water supply, Capital productivity, Capital intensity, Labor productivity
Abstract: • The paper provides a critical analysis of the appropriateness of water productivity (and intensity) as an indicator of water efficiency. • A decomposition analysis is performed for agricultural water productivity. • Data is compiled from agriculture sector from 34 countries with time series ranging from 1995–2010. • Labor productivity and capital intensity are the main drivers of water productivity, on the contrary, water efficiency has a minor impact. • Water productivity should not be used for the assessment of efficient water management strategies, policies and frameworks. Water productivity is broadly used as an indicator to measure the success of policies aiming at efficient water management. Focusing on the agricultural sector, this paper provides the first critical analysis of the appropriateness of water productivity for this type of assessment. We apply Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition analysis together with descriptive statistical analysis to test our main hypothesis that is natural resources do not generate value added, and therefore changes in water productivity are related to well-known drivers of economic growth rather than to improvements in water efficiency. We use three different models with different levels of decomposition detail to identify the drivers of water productivity changes. Results show that indeed there is a weak relationship between changes in water productivity and water efficiency. In contrast, changes in water productivity are driven by changes in labor productivity and capital intensity. Thus, we discourage policy makers from using the indicator to monitor the progress on efficient water management or on decoupling between economic growth and water consumption. Rather, indicators independent from economic development such as biomass per volume of water should be used and the absolute volumes of water appropriated by society monitored. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Resources, Conservation & Recycling is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: GreenFILE
Description
Abstract:• The paper provides a critical analysis of the appropriateness of water productivity (and intensity) as an indicator of water efficiency. • A decomposition analysis is performed for agricultural water productivity. • Data is compiled from agriculture sector from 34 countries with time series ranging from 1995–2010. • Labor productivity and capital intensity are the main drivers of water productivity, on the contrary, water efficiency has a minor impact. • Water productivity should not be used for the assessment of efficient water management strategies, policies and frameworks. Water productivity is broadly used as an indicator to measure the success of policies aiming at efficient water management. Focusing on the agricultural sector, this paper provides the first critical analysis of the appropriateness of water productivity for this type of assessment. We apply Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition analysis together with descriptive statistical analysis to test our main hypothesis that is natural resources do not generate value added, and therefore changes in water productivity are related to well-known drivers of economic growth rather than to improvements in water efficiency. We use three different models with different levels of decomposition detail to identify the drivers of water productivity changes. Results show that indeed there is a weak relationship between changes in water productivity and water efficiency. In contrast, changes in water productivity are driven by changes in labor productivity and capital intensity. Thus, we discourage policy makers from using the indicator to monitor the progress on efficient water management or on decoupling between economic growth and water consumption. Rather, indicators independent from economic development such as biomass per volume of water should be used and the absolute volumes of water appropriated by society monitored. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09213449
DOI:10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105452