Food Demand-Driven Scarce Water Use Amplified by Pollution in China

Food system has significant impacts on water scarcity, which in turn becomes a bottleneck for food security and socioeconomic development. Existing research has primarily concentrated on the relationship between food consumption and quantity-based scarce water use but has overlooked quality-based scarce water use. Here, we constructed an aggregative scarce water use indicator, considering water quantity and water quality simultaneously. The food demand-driven aggregative scarce water use of Chinese provinces in 2017 was investigated based on a scarce-water extended multiregional input-output model. The results demonstrated that food demand-driven scarce water use is amplified eight (8) times by water quality degradation. Henan, Shanxi, and Tianjin were found to be the primary contributors to the food demand-driven aggregative use of scarce water. Moreover, the study reveals food demand-driven virtual aggregative scarce water flows among regions and sectors. Production-side measures on reducing water scarcity include the improvements of water use efficiency and wastewater treatment capacity in exporters of net virtual aggregative scarce water (e.g., Hebei and Henan). Furthermore, demand-side measures are equally important, including food demand optimization in importers of net virtual aggregative scarce water (e.g., Zhejiang and Beijing). In addition, interregional cooperation (e.g., transferring advanced water conservation and contaminant mitigation technologies from developed regions to regions with high aggregative water scarcity) in China is critical for promoting the sustainable management of food and water resources. The study's findings provide significant insights for policymakers at the regional and interregional levels to develop coordinated water resource and environment management strategies in China. Water scarcity has been an increasing problem for global sustainable development. Food and water systems are intricately intertwined and the optimal regulation of food demand has a profound effect on water scarcity alleviation. China, a large agricultural country, confronts significant water resource deficiencies. The irregularly temporal and geographical division of water resources in China suggests the significance of considering regional-specific water scarcity when examining the food and water nexus. Besides, the quantity and quality-based scarce virtual water flows of food systems in China need further studies. This study investigates the food demand-driven aggregative scarce water use in different regions of China, considering water quantity and water quality simultaneously. We find that food demand-driven scarce water use is amplified 8 times by water pollution. Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Ningxia, Shanxi, and Tianjin are principal contributors to the food demand-driven aggregative scarce water use. Meanwhile, Hebei-Beijing, Hebei-Shandong, Jiangsu-Anhui, Inner Mongolia-Shanxi, and Guangxi-Guangdong are identified as major interregional pairs. This study's findings can provide valuable insights for policymakers at the regional and interregional levels to develop coordinated food resource, water resource, and water environment management strategies in China. We explore the food demand-driven aggregative scarce water use in China, considering water quantity and water quality simultaneously Food demand-driven scarce water use is amplified eight times by water pollution and Henan, Shanxi, and Tianjin are primary contributors The findings of this research can contribute to coordinated management of water resources and water environment