Fig. 5: A water stewardship perspective to sustain the conservation of water resources and secure food supply chains.

Inter-relations between science, TNCs, countries and society to synergically sustain the conservation of water resources and secure food supply chains. We frame for each actor the main actions implementable and the main tools available, thanks to the collaboration with another actor of the initiative. For example, Science receives detailed trade data from TNCs, thus assessing their water footprint. In return, TNCs receive useful data on the water risk associated to their activity. With this information, TNCs can lead the corporate initiative and promote sustainable targets that in turn can boost governmental policies and societal awareness. Considering the larger amount of virtual water displaced on average by single TNCs with respect to single countries, and their transnational operational range, TNCs are identified as the pivotal layer in the virtual water trade that can broaden the biosphere stewardship initiative to water resources in the food system.