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AuthorHigazy, Nayla
AuthorMerabet, Sarah
AuthorKhalifa, Razan
AuthorSaleh, Aya
AuthorAl-Sayegh, Shaikha
AuthorHosseini, Hoda
AuthorWahib, Sara
AuthorAlabsi, Rana
AuthorZarif, Lubna
AuthorMohamed, Mohamed S.
AuthorBen Hamadou, Radhouane
Available date2024-09-18T07:32:50Z
Publication Date2024
Publication NameWater (Switzerland)
ResourceScopus
ISSN20734441
URIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w16081185
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/59057
AbstractQatar is a severely water-stressed country. Despite Qatar's aridity and its lack of freshwater resources, its per capita water consumption is one of the highest in the world, and it is expected to increase in the coming decades. Therefore, understanding water consumption and use through space and time becomes paramount. By employing water footprint assessment (WF) and analysis of virtual water trade (VWT), this research comprehensively examines Qatar's water consumption patterns both domestically and internationally on a sectorial level (agricultural, industrial and urban sectors) between 2010 and 2021. The findings show that, internally, the urban sector contributed the most to the WF, followed by the industrial and the agricultural sectors with an annual average WF of 3250, 1650, and 50 million m3/y, respectively. Although Qatar exports large amounts of VW (1450 million m3/y), its VW imports (7530 million m3/y) are very high, reflecting the country's agricultural demand, making Qatar a net VW importing country. Qatar exhibits a national WF of consumption of 11,900 million m3/y, with a water dependency index of 56% and a self-sufficiency index of 44%. Additionally, Qatar has a significant water export fraction of 20%, while only 3% of its water consumption relies on its natural resources. This study pinpoints sectors and areas where WFs can be reduced; the outcomes serve as a foundation for strategic planning, enabling Qatar to make informed decisions to optimize its water resources, enhance water use efficiency, and secure a sustainable water future in the face of escalating water stress. This study's methodology and findings not only pave the way for more efficient water resource management in Qatar, but also offer a replicable framework for other arid and semi-arid countries to assess and optimize their water footprint and virtual water trade, contributing significantly to global efforts in sustainable water use.
SponsorThis research received internal funding from Qatar University through Indirect Cost (IDC-RBH).
Languageen
PublisherMDPI
Subjectagricultural water footprint
industrial water footprint
national accounting
urban water footprint
virtual water trade
water footprint
TitleWater Footprint Assessment and Virtual Water Trade in the Globally Most Water-Stressed Country, Qatar
TypeArticle
Issue Number8
Volume Number16
dc.accessType Open Access


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