Acknowledgements

Executive summary

1 Introduction

1.1 EU resource-efficiency policy

1.2 Resource efficiency and sustainable water management

1.3 Aims and structure of this report

2 Water-resource efficiency — measures and tools

2.1 Reducing water use — increasing water use efficiency

2.2 Water and energy sector linkages

2.3 Water quality and resource efficiency

3 Using markets to enhance water‑resource efficiency

3.1 Water allocation mechanisms

3.2 Economic instruments to correct market failure

3.3 Water pricing and cost recovery in Europe

4 Improved information for optimal water-resource management

4.1 The role of indicators in quantifying and evaluating water efficiency

4.2 Water accounting as a framework for understanding linkages between water resources and the economy

4.3 Water Footprint Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis

4.4 Labelling and certification, standards and stewardship

5 Conclusions

5.1 A scarce resource requires careful management

5.2 Principles of sustainable water management

5.3 Tools and measures

5.4 The water-energy link

5.5 The knowledge base to foster resource efficiency

5.6 Future needs for sustainable water management

References