What is ‘Virtual Water’?

Virtual water is an award-winning theory from Professor Tony Allan of Kings College, London (for which he won the Stockholm World Water Prize in 2008). It describes the transfer of water around the globe in the form of water embedded in food and fibre. Around 90% of global water use goes into food, fibre and beverage production. “Farmers are not wasteful”, says Professor Allan. Using local resources, including water, they produce food in challenging and complex conditions.