Chapter 4
Sefficiency (Sustainable Efficiency)
There is a fundamental difference between descriptive and performance indicators
of a water use system. The former responds to the question “What is happening?”
(e.g., what are the WPIs in a WUS), and the latter focuses on the questions, such
as “Does it matter? Are we reaching targets?” (EEA 2015). A target is “a goal to
be achieved” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2019), and highly important in water
management as explained in the previous chapter on the theory presented in this
book (FIW5c). For example, ET is part of the description of a WUS (Table 2.1) and
by itself value-neutral, because there is no independent target for ET in a locality. As
such, decreasing ET in water scarce regions may be a valid option but the real question
is the amount of consumption reduction that brings about sustainable development.
To answer this and many other questions in water management, we need to use
efficiency as a performance indicator with 100 (i.e., in %) as its ideal target. To
appreciate efficiency, first let us understand its concept, which is the main reason for
its wide usage:
• “Efficiency is thus not a goal in itself. It is not something we want for its own
sake, but rather because it helps us attain more of the things we value” (Stone
2012).
• “Resource efficiency means using the Earth’s limited resources in a sustainable
manner while minimising impacts on the environment. It allows us to create more
with less and to deliver greater value with less input” (European Commission
2019).
These two explanations of the concept of efficiency clearly establish its central
significance, particularly under water scarcity. It also becomes clear that efficiency
should promote sustainability and as will be seen in Chap. 5, it should be an integral
part of equity. After understanding the concept, the key question is how to quantify
it for a WUS based on the theory presented in this book. Sefficiency developed in
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
N. Haie, Transparent Water Management Theory,
Water Resources Development and Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6284-6_4
39
Sefficiency (Sustainable Efficiency)
There is a fundamental difference between descriptive and performance indicators
of a water use system. The former responds to the question “What is happening?”
(e.g., what are the WPIs in a WUS), and the latter focuses on the questions, such
as “Does it matter? Are we reaching targets?” (EEA 2015). A target is “a goal to
be achieved” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2019), and highly important in water
management as explained in the previous chapter on the theory presented in this
book (FIW5c). For example, ET is part of the description of a WUS (Table 2.1) and
by itself value-neutral, because there is no independent target for ET in a locality. As
such, decreasing ET in water scarce regions may be a valid option but the real question
is the amount of consumption reduction that brings about sustainable development.
To answer this and many other questions in water management, we need to use
efficiency as a performance indicator with 100 (i.e., in %) as its ideal target. To
appreciate efficiency, first let us understand its concept, which is the main reason for
its wide usage:
• “Efficiency is thus not a goal in itself. It is not something we want for its own
sake, but rather because it helps us attain more of the things we value” (Stone
2012).
• “Resource efficiency means using the Earth’s limited resources in a sustainable
manner while minimising impacts on the environment. It allows us to create more
with less and to deliver greater value with less input” (European Commission
2019).
These two explanations of the concept of efficiency clearly establish its central
significance, particularly under water scarcity. It also becomes clear that efficiency
should promote sustainability and as will be seen in Chap. 5, it should be an integral
part of equity. After understanding the concept, the key question is how to quantify
it for a WUS based on the theory presented in this book. Sefficiency developed in
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
N. Haie, Transparent Water Management Theory,
Water Resources Development and Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6284-6_4
39