Revealing Trade Potential for Reversing Regional Freshwater Boundary Exceedance

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01699
• Publication Date: 2023-07-26T06:27:43Z
• Authors: Xu Zhao; Siyu Hou; Xinxin Zhang; Klaus Hubacek; Martin R. Tillotson; Yu Liu; Junguo Liu
• Keywords: Consumption

Applying the planetary boundary for freshwater framework at regional level is important in supporting local water management but subject to substantial uncertainty. Previous estimates have not fully investigated potential of trade mitigating (RFB) exceedance. Here, we estimate RFB based on average results 15 different hydrological models reduce We then propose a divide exceedance/maintenance into contributions from both consumption and further identify contribution six types. applied China's provinces, which are characterized by intensive interprovincial significant mismatch resource supply demand. found that current pattern limits role mitigate For importing provinces exceeding RFBs, 78% their imported goods services came other provinces. Scenario analysis showed relying increased imports alone, even its greatest extent, will reverse exceedance most Increased imports, however, an aggregate effect partners, leading national boundary. also promoting export non-RFB reducing intensity help address imbalance locally and, aggregate, nationally.