Structural characteristics of global virtual water network driven by food consumption in the Belt and Road Initiative region

Zhong, Qiumeng, Pan, Jiajing, Lin, Zehan, Li, Yumeng, Mo, Xin, He, Pan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1088-6290, Cao, Xin and Liang, Sai 2025. Structural characteristics of global virtual water network driven by food consumption in the Belt and Road Initiative region. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 215 , 108128. 10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108128

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Abstract

Food consumption in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) region has driven significant global water uses, forming an interregional and intersectoral virtual water network. The transmission mechanism of food-related water uses within this network remains unknown, limiting the effectiveness of measures on sustainable food-water resource management. This study identified critical transmission sectors, intersectoral transactions, and supply chain paths (representing the transmission mechanism). Results show that the virtual water embodied in intersectoral flows accounted for 74 % of total water uses. Besides food-related sectors, the non-food sectors (e.g., Other business services sector) also played important transmission roles. Improving their productivity could indirectly promote global water saving. Furthermore, the critical intersectoral transactions provided more explicit directions for these measures, highlighting the importance of intersectoral and interregional cooperation. This study identified additional hotspots for reducing food-related water footprint of the BRI region, advancing the food-water related Sustainable Development Goals.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Earth and Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0921-3449
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2025 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182919

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