Global water availability and requirements for future food production

This research paper uses the LPJmL vegetation and hydrology model to compare global per capita water availability and requirements for food production between 1971–2000 and 2070–2099, assessing the impact of climate and population change on the ability of countries to produce a balanced diet.

• The study defines a country as water-scarce if its per capita water availability is lower than the water required to produce a balanced diet of 3,000 kcal per person per day (composed of 80% vegetal food and 20% animal products). Currently, this scarcity is particularly prevalent in southwestern Asia and North and East Africa.
• Projections for 2070–2099 based on A2 and B1 emissions and population scenarios, as well as 17 General Circulation Models, suggest that per person water availability will likely decrease in numerous regions. While rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations may decrease calorie-specific water requirements by improving crop water productivity, this effect is uncertain in most regions.
• The combined effects of population change, climate change, and CO2 levels are expected to worsen water scarcity in many countries, potentially leaving more nations unable to produce a balanced diet for their populations.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2011). Global water availability and requirements for future food production. https://www.sei.org/publications/global-water-availability-and-requirements-for-future-food-production/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Global water availability and requirements for future food production. 2011. https://www.sei.org/publications/global-water-availability-and-requirements-for-future-food-production/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Global water availability and requirements for future food production |date=11 November 2011 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/global-water-availability-and-requirements-for-future-food-production/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2011global, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Global water availability and requirements for future food production}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/global-water-availability-and-requirements-for-future-food-production/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }