Water footprint

 

 UPM is a partner of the Water Footprint Network and, in 2009, launched a Water Footprint study of the UPM Nordland Papier mill in Germany.

THE WATER FOOTPRINT OF PAPER

A Water Footprint Assessment maps the amount of fresh water consumed throughout the production chain of paper.

UPM's results show that water for growing trees represents the primary contribution to the total water footprint of paper. In other words, most of the water needed to produce one sheet of A4 is used in the forest as part of the natural water cycle.

According to Water Footprint Network's Executive Director Ruth Mathews, "UPM's pilot study shows that when forests are managed sustainably, paper products will have little contribution to the growing concerns of water scarcity".

A water footprint divides the water into three different types - green, blue and grey. Green water represents the natural water cycle - the water evaporated by trees. Blue water refers to water withdrawn from rivers, lakes and aquifers. Grey water presents the amount of water needed to assimilate the remaining pollutants after the waste water cleaning process.

According to UPM's pilot study, 60% of the water footprint of paper is green water, 1% is blue water and 39% is grey water. Around 99% of the water footprint comes from the supply chain, and the remaining 1% comes from the actual paper mill production processes.

WFN - PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE USE OF WATER

The international Water Footprint Network (WFN) is dedicated to advancing the concept of the ‘water footprint’. The mission of WFN is to promote the transition towards sustainable, fair and efficient use of fresh water resources around the world.

The water footprint of a business is defined as the total volume of fresh water that is used directly or indirectly to produce and use goods and services. The water footprint of a business consists of two components: the direct water used by the producer (in production or for supporting activities) and the indirect use of water (in the producer’s supply chain).