Authors: Guangyao Deng Liujuan Wang Yanan Song
Publish Date: 2015/04/20
Volume: 29, Issue: 8, Pages: 2947-2965
Abstract
Using input–output table of China in 2007 this paper built an input–output model and tested the effect of variation of wateruse efficiency on the structure of virtual water trade As the final water consumption coefficient increases ie wateruse efficiency decreases in some department the proportion of this department’s virtual water outflow/inflow increases while those of all the other departments decrease As the direct water consumption coefficient increases ie wateruse efficiency decreases the proportion of this departments virtual water outflow/inflow increases while the sum but not each of the other departments’ proportions decreases The final water consumption coefficient of any department is bigger than the direct one implying indirect water consumption exists and final water consumption coefficient is a better indicator for wateruse efficiency The paper shows that China is a net exporter of virtual water but the departments of agriculture mining petrochemical are the net importers of virtual water According to the results China should use the strategy of virtual water trade to alleviate water shortage Also China should adopt watersaving technology in production and improve the level of selfsufficiency of products in order to reduce reliance on foreign trade correspondingly
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