Water consumption or evapotranspiration 

Unit

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: Cubic meters per hectare (m3/ha)

Indicator

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: Water consumption and withdrawal

Metric type

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: Pressure

Framework alignment notes

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UN - CCD: This metric is aligned with the requirements of the framework.
TNFD A3.0
ESRS E3-4
SBTN: This metric is partially aligned with the requirements of the framework.
Regen Ag outcome: Improved environmental flows

Target example
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[Company name] will reduce its water consumption in [water basin] to [target amount, absolute ML/year] by the [target year]

Target source: WBCSD target template

Sector

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Agri-food

Value chain stage

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Raw Materials Manufacturing

Metric assessment

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Relevance: High
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Feasibility: Low
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Additional Metric Notes
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Rationale

Water consumption (withdrawals minus discharges) may be a more accurate representation of pressure (vs withdrawals alone), but calculation can be more difficult, especially in the agricultural context, and does not account for changes in water quality. Withdrawal and consumption data can be used together to make other calculations, e.g., irrigation efficiency.

Additional/complementary metrics

  • Intermediate metrics: water withdrawals and discharges, crop-specific consumption rates

Related actions

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Support and incentivize regenerative agriculture and sustainable intensification outcomes at sourcing locations

Support and incentivize regenerative agriculture and sustainable intensification outcomes at sourcing locations

Description

Value chain stage

Manufacturing

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

Coming soon

Reduce GHG emissions from operations and land use activities

Reduce GHG emissions from operations and land use activities

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

Coming soon

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize agri-inputs and drive sustainable intensification

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize agri-inputs and drive sustainable intensification

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

E.g., 4R Nutrient Stewardship, Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

E.g., improved irrigation.

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas, in resource extraction and production processes

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas, in resource extraction and production processes

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

Coming soon

Develop and deploy inputs and technology to drive sustainable intensification and regenerative agriculture outcomes

Develop and deploy inputs and technology to drive sustainable intensification and regenerative agriculture outcomes

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

Coming soon

Develop and implement practices to drive regenerative agriculture

Develop and implement practices to drive regenerative agriculture

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

Transition to regenerative agriculture practices (e.g., crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage, natural barriers, ICLFS, etc) to improve soil health, biodiversity & carbon sequestration.

Expand sustainable production on degraded lands

Expand sustainable production on degraded lands

Description

Value chain stage

Raw Materials

Sector of stage operator

Agri-food

How the action applies

E.g., degraded pasture land.