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Using the IPAT identity and decoupling analysis to estimate water footprint variations for five major food crops in China from 1978 to 2010

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  • Yuanhong Tian

    (Shanghai University of Engineering Science
    Tongji University)

  • Matthias Ruth

    (Northeastern University
    Northeastern University)

  • Dajian Zhu

    (Tongji University
    Tongji University)

Abstract

Evaluations of water footprint (WF) used to enhance performance of policies on water utilization will benefit from combining WF analysis with methods from sustainability analysis. For this purpose, this paper analyzes the WF of China’s five main food crops, which together account for roughly 33 % of the nation’s water consumption. We assess distributional equity at the provincial scale and use the IPAT identity and a decoupling analysis to assess the scale of both national and provincial WF consumption, the factors influencing the WF fluctuation, and the efficiency of water allocation. Results show that although it is difficult in the short term to end the unsustainable WFs of China’s five main food crops, more efficient allocation can be achieved through appropriate agricultural policy modification. In the long term, distributional equity at the provincial level must be the key factor in achieving sustainable agriculture in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanhong Tian & Matthias Ruth & Dajian Zhu, 2017. "Using the IPAT identity and decoupling analysis to estimate water footprint variations for five major food crops in China from 1978 to 2010," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 2355-2375, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:19:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1007_s10668-016-9860-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-016-9860-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuanhong Tian & Matthias Ruth & Dajian Zhu & Jinfeng Ding & Nicholas Morris, 2019. "A Sustainability Assessment of Five Major Food Crops’ Water Footprints in China from 1978 to 2010," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Chao Hu & Jin Fan & Jian Chen, 2022. "Spatial and Temporal Characteristics and Drivers of Agricultural Carbon Emissions in Jiangsu Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Changfeng Shi & Hang Yuan & Qinghua Pang & Yangyang Zhang, 2020. "Research on the Decoupling of Water Resources Utilization and Agricultural Economic Development in Gansu Province from the Perspective of Water Footprint," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Genovaitė Liobikienė & Ričardas Krikštolaitis & Astrida Miceikienė, 2023. "The main determinants of changes in biomass extraction: the decomposition analysis approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 7987-8003, August.
    5. Yansong Zhang & Xiaolei Fan & Yu Mao & Yujie Wei & Jianming Xu & Lili Wu, 2023. "The Coupling Relationship and Driving Factors of Fertilizer Consumption, Economic Development and Crop Yield in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.

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