Water Footprint Network (WFN)

The Water Footprint Network (WFN) is an international non-profit organization founded in 2008 with the goal of promoting sustainable and equitable water management through research, methodological development and dissemination of the water footprint concept.

Based in the Netherlands, it acts as a reference platform for governments, companies, universities and civil-society organizations wishing to measure and reduce their water impact.

Origin and mission

• Founders: the WFN was created by a group of partners from academia, business, civil society and multilateral organizations, building on the work of Professor Arjen Hoekstra, who coined the water footprint concept at the University of Twente in 2002.
• Vision: a world where freshwater use is sustainable and fair, respecting planetary boundaries and basic human needs.
• Mission: to develop scientific tools, standards and partnerships that foster transparency in water use and the adoption of effective policies.

Methodological framework

The WFN helped establish a widely used framework for calculating the water footprint, which distinguishes three components:

• Blue water footprint: volume of freshwater taken from surface or groundwater bodies.
• Green water footprint: rainwater stored in the soil and used by crops and vegetation.
• Grey water footprint: volume of water needed to dilute pollutants to meet quality standards.

The method is set out in The Water Footprint Assessment Manual (Hoekstra et al., 2011) and is widely recognised in academia and industry.

Areas of action

• Research and global data: studies on the water footprint of key commodities (such as coffee, cotton and meat) and of countries or river basins, with tools to visualise water consumption and virtual-water flows.
• Tools and training: calculation tools and training, both online and in person, including professional training in water footprint assessment for consultants and auditors.
• Advice for companies and governments: support in developing reduction strategies and efficiency programmes, and help for institutions implementing water policies based on the water footprint and basin context.
• Partnerships and advocacy: participation in international forums (such as World Water Week) and promotion of water-footprint metrics in sustainability reporting (GRI, CDP Water).

Impact

• Agri-food sector: companies have used WFN methods to identify and reduce water footprints across their supply chains.
• Local governments: water-footprint-based planning has helped improve water allocation in stressed basins.
• Education: the WFN manual is a widely used reference in university courses on environmental engineering and water-resource management.

Advantages of working with the WFN

• Scientific rigour: methodology backed by peer-reviewed publications.
• Transparency: open data and shared standards improve comparability.
• Visibility and reputation: association with the WFN strengthens the credibility of sustainability strategies.
• Global network: access to experts and organizations committed to water security.

Relationship with other standards

• ISO 14046: ISO 14046 and the WFN share life-cycle principles, but the WFN approach focuses specifically on the water indicator and includes the green and grey dimensions; the two methodologies are complementary.
• 2030 Agenda (SDG 6): the WFN's work contributes directly to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
• GHG Protocol: water and carbon metrics can be integrated into corporate climate strategies.

Challenges and outlook

• Growing scarcity: international assessments warn that global water demand could significantly exceed sustainable supply within the coming decades if current trends continue; the WFN works with water-intensive sectors to address this.
• Methodological coherence: ongoing convergence with ISO 14046 and other initiatives to avoid duplication and confusion.
• Digitalisation: stronger real-time data platforms using satellite and big-data technologies.

The Water Footprint Network plays an important role in the transition towards sustainable and equitable water management. By providing solid scientific standards, training and support to diverse stakeholders, it fosters policies and practices that reduce pressure on water resources and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and communities. At Manglai we help companies measure their environmental impact and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.