The need for Virtual Water Credits and Trading System

Understanding, sensitizing and accounting Virtual Water Trade (the embedded water flow) between locations, nations and geographies is necessary to contain future water wars. Virtual water need not be limited to agricultural output, but can also be applied to all other products and services. Across nations, all organizations, farmers and consumers should be accounted for the Virtual Water Units consumed. There is a need for an international Virtual Water protocol defined similarly to the current Carbon Credits model and managed by an independent body. This paper discusses the need for Virtual Water Credits, an International Trading System for Virtual Water Trade between countries, roles and responsibilities of all key stakeholders.