CHINA: Research warns growth focus will exacerbate water stress (13/01/15)

New research warns that water stress in China is expected to become more severe for at least the next 15 years because of the country’s focus on economic dominance. The research, from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of Leeds in the UK alongside other international institutions, paints a grim picture for the country’s water supply as its booming economy continues to place pressure on its natural resources. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research compiles for the first time a full inventory of actual water transfers and ‘virtual’ water redistribution through trade between provinces. The study found that China’s current two-pronged approach, which involves physical water transfers such as the major South-North projects, and ‘virtual’ water redistributed through trade, only partially mitigates water stress. These efforts are also making water stress worse for the country’s poorer water-exporting regions – virtual water transfers account for over 33% of the national water supply, and up to 65% of the water supply in some provinces is set aside for virtual water redistribution. The researchers warn that unless China significantly improves its water use efficiency and addresses the impact of its economy on its natural resources, the situation will continue to deteriorate. Professor Dabo Guan of UEA’s School of International Development said: ‘China needs to shift its focus to water demand management instead of a supply oriented approach if it is going to seriously address the overwhelming pressure on its water supplies. ‘China’s current transfer programme is pouring good water after bad: the problems of water stressed regions aren’t being alleviated and the provinces sharing their water are suffering greatly.’ Lis Stedman