The availability and quality of water resources is a key concern for textile companies as population growth, changing lifestyle patterns and increasing urbanisation and industrialization, coupled with climate change implications, are increasing pressures on limited water resources. Moreover, water scarcity and water pollution levels are increasing in river basins around the world due to growing populations, changing consumption patterns and poor water governance. The apparel sector increasingly faces water availability and quality issues in its widely distributed supply chain. Improving environmental performance in the apparel supply chain is critical for the long‐term viability of the sector as well as the sustainability of ecosystems and communities.

Water Footprint Assessment includes a comprehensive approach to the accounting of water consumption and pollution in the supply chain, the assessment of the sustainability, efficiency and equitability of that water consumption and pollution, and strategic response formulation to address the world’s pressing water challenges