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The PEF framework also calls this category Water use, but it reports results in m³ world eq deprived to reflect regional water scarcity. Journey’s ReCiPe 2016 implementation simply uses m³ withdrawn.

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Definition

Water Use (WU) measures the total volume of freshwater consumed or withdrawn from natural sources for use in processes related to a product’s lifecycle. It is expressed in cubic meters (m³) using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors.

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Environmental Mechanism

Water is a critical resource for ecosystems and human societies. Excessive water use can lead to:
  • Depletion of groundwater resources
  • Reduced river flows and lake levels
  • Habitat loss for aquatic species
  • Reduced availability for human needs
  • Increased energy use for water pumping and treatment
  • Land subsidence in areas of groundwater depletion
  • Saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers
Water use impacts vary significantly based on the local water scarcity context, with withdrawals in water-stressed regions causing more severe impacts than in water-abundant regions.

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Calculation in GREENZERO Journey

GREENZERO Journey calculates Water Use by:
  1. Identifying all freshwater withdrawals throughout a product’s lifecycle
  2. Accounting for water returned to the same watershed (consumptive vs. non-consumptive use)
  3. Summing the total water use expressed in cubic meters
About ReCiPe 2016ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes.The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations.

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Environmental Cost Conversion

The Water Use impact is converted to environmental cost using the CE Delft cost factor: CE Delft Cost Factor for Water Use: €0.407 per m³ This factor represents the societal cost of water use, including:
  • Ecosystem service losses
  • Increased water treatment costs
  • Agricultural productivity losses
  • Costs of water conflicts
  • Infrastructure for water supply
  • Health impacts from reduced water availability

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Example Calculation

For a product with a Water Use of 2 m³ per piece: 
Environmental Cost = WU × CE Delft Factor
Environmental Cost = 2 m³ × €0.407/m³
Environmental Cost = €0.81 per piece

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Interpretation

Water use impacts are highly dependent on geographic context, with the same volume of water use potentially causing vastly different impacts depending on local water scarcity. Key contributors to Water Use in product lifecycles typically include:
  • Agricultural irrigation for raw materials
  • Process water in manufacturing
  • Cooling water for energy production
  • Cleaning and rinsing operations
  • Product use phase (especially for water-using products)
  • Water embedded in materials

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Reduction Strategies

Common strategies to reduce Water Use include:
  • Water efficiency improvements in processes
  • Water recycling and reuse systems
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Drought-resistant crop varieties
  • Leak detection and prevention
  • Process modifications to reduce water requirements
  • Sourcing from water-abundant regions when possible

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Data Quality Considerations

When interpreting Water Use results, consider:
  • Geographic specificity of water withdrawal locations
  • Seasonal variations in water availability
  • Distinction between consumptive and non-consumptive use
  • Water quality aspects (not captured in volume metrics)
  • Return flow considerations
  • Local water scarcity context
Water Use often correlates with other impact categories, particularly:
  • Freshwater Eutrophication Potential
  • Marine Eutrophication Potential
  • Land Use
  • Energy use (for pumping and treatment)
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