Indicator 6.4.1 Change in water-use efficiency over time

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time

Change in water use efficiency over time (CWUE): The change in the ratio of the value added to the volume of water use, over time.

Water-use efficiency measured as the ratio of dollar value added to the volume of water used. It considers water use by all economic activities, with a focus on agriculture, industry and the service sectors.

Following the United Nations International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities ISIC 4 coding, sectors are defined as:

1. agriculture; forestry; fishing (ISIC A), hereinafter “agriculture”;
2. mining and quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; constructions (ISIC B, C, D and F), hereinafter “MIMEC”;
3. all the service sectors (ISIC E and ISIC G-T), hereinafter “services”.

Percent change in water-use efficiency over time (%) = (WUE in time t - WUE in time t-1) / (WUE in time t-1) × 100

Data were readily available to report on the series “Water-use efficiency (USD per cubic metre)” as specified by the metadata. Please refer to the sources to access additional information on the metadata or source.

The progress status for this indicator is based on the principal series: “Water-use efficiency (USD per cubic metre).”