This document provides an overview of available metrics for assessing water use impacts and current initiatives integrating these metrics within life cycle assessment (LCA). It discusses the need for consistency in the scope and type of water impacts measured. The document outlines a framework for assessing freshwater use in LCA, including accounting, impact assessment, and communication. It presents results of a new method for characterizing human health impacts and calculating compensation volumes required for different production scenarios. Future developments are noted, such as evaluating impacts based on water functionalities and modeling compensation scenarios.

1. Behind the Water Footprint Stream - Metrics and InitiativesOverview of available metrics to asses potential impacts of water use and current initiatives integrating them within LCAManueleMargni, Ph.D.Scientificcoordinator, CIRAIGEcole Polytechnique Montréalmanuele.margni@polymtl.ca(Incl. materialprovided by Quantis)

2. CIRAIG FactsheetFounded in 2000Multidisciplinary world-renowned research centre 135+ professors, researchers and students10 universities, 7 Chairs, 5 research unitsMember of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeNumerous collaborations (Canada, USA, Europe)120+ applied research projects (industry and gov.)Official spin-offExpertise: Carbon and Water footprintLCACompany-based LCA and sustainability dashboardEcodesignEnvironmental communicationwww.quantis-intl.com2

3. The Water Footprint Stream: Initiatives and timelineSource: WBCSD3

4. WhichFootprint Is Correct?But what water is important?There is currently little consistency in the scope of water footprint and what is measured

5. There is nearly no consistency in how to evaluate impact4

6. Problem StatementBut what water is important?To know what water is important, we must know what type of water use occurs and where

7. To know the impact of water use, we must know the impact of each use type in each geography

8. The method must be operational for companies to apply in decision making5

9. Accounting vs. Impact Assessment vs. Communication

10. Impact AssessmentFramework in LCA

11. Water ScarcityAssessment(«Screening assessment » using Water stress index, WSI)

12. Water Scarcityvs. Full AssessmentCHDECHCHDEDETurbined waterImportance to check the (range/scope of) validity of the resultsWhy Expanding the Scope of Water Footprint to LCA?Climate changeEcosystemsNatural resourcesHuman healthWaterfootprintTo avoid burden shifting from an impact category to another10

13. Framework for Freshwater use In LCA (UNEP-SETAC LC Initiative)EndpointMidpointInventoryAreas of ProtectionAll Impact CategoriesBackup TechnologyWater deprivation for human usesHuman HealthHuman usesModification of water availability for…Water deprivation for ecosystemsWater UseWater UseEcosystems QualityEcosystemsWater deprivation for future generationsNatural resourcesFuture Generations

14. Human Health Impacts from production of board in Hanoi for different scenarios12

15. ... Avoid Taking the Wrong Decision13Spatial variation of blue water consumption bioenergycrop production within Spain at two different levels:Impact AssessmentInventory accounting(Source: Nunez Montserrat, SETAC EU 2010)

16. UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeInternational initiative for LCAReview and characterization of existing accounting and Impact assessment methodsRecommendations (end 2010) for:SciencePractitioners (incl. industry)Contact: ManueleMargni, CIRAIGSebastienHumbert, Quantis14

17. Towards an International Standard for Water Footprinting“Water Footprint: Principles, Requirements and Guidances”International standard for water footprintingThis International Standard specifies requirements and guidelines to assess and report water footprint based on LCATerminology, communicationImportant stages to considerConsistency with carbon footprinting and other LCA impact categoriesScope, system boundaryReview/ValidationReportingBegan 2009, end 2011Towards industry and practitioners

18. ManueleMargniCIRAIG – École Polytechnique de Montréal manuele.margni@polymtl.ca16

19. 17

20. From Lack of Methods to Methods Overload?Inventory & CategorizeImpactNet Damage18

21. Risks to Business19

22. PhysicalrisksScarcityQualityDeficiency or Compensation

23. T-shirt produced in India and TurkeySIMPLIFIED RESULTS

24. Risks associated with water use:Water pollutionGround water over exploitationReduced availability for nutritionRisks associated with water use:Water rightsWater pollutionGround water over exploitationRisks associated with water use:Water pollutionRisks associated with water use:Water pollutionGround water over exploitationRiver dryingGreenhouse gases emissionsGreenhouse gases emissions (from deforestation)Water use (including “green water”)Water impact (human health and ecosystems)Regionalization of impacts

25. Geen Water LCI23(Source: Nunez Montserrat, SETAC EU 2010)

26. Implications of Water ShortagesEcosystem quality

27. Lakes and rivers drying

28. Disappearance of wetlands

29. Lack of water for wildlife

30. Human health and welfare

31. Disease

32. Displacement

33. Conflict / warfare

34. Nutrition

35. Economic development

36. Resources

37. Future development and response24

38. 25About QuantisA Global PresenceAcademic PartnersDiverse Clientele

39. Inventory in the modelThe method assesses the impacts of the water withdrawal and credits the impacts of the water releaseHHimpact = Human health impacts in DalyCFi = Characterization factor for water type i for the impact category Human Health (in Daly/m3 of water type i consumed) Vi = Volume of water type i – inventory value (in m3), positive value for water withdrawn and negative value for released flows26

40. Inventory13 Water classes described by:Source (surface, ground or rain)