Increasing role of transboundary food-related water footprints by regional income groups

Income group heterogeneity and transboundary food-related water footprints are essential for water resource management. Previous studies have not fully characterized the transboundary food-related water footprints by regional income groups. Taking Guangdong as an example, this study calculates the local and transboundary food-related water footprints by income groups and explores relevant socioeconomic factors during 2007–2017. Results show that the proportion of transboundary food-related water footprints by income groups has increased during 2007–2017. By 2017, nearly half of food-related water footprints of income groups happened in external regions. In particular, the high-income groups of Guangdong transferred large amounts of food-related water footprints to specific northern regions (e.g., Heilongjiang and Jilin). However, socioeconomic changes of these northern regions contributed to the increase of food-related water footprints by income groups. Fortunately, the transitions of food consumption structures of income groups helped to reduce the external food-related water footprints. We also observed that the effects of dietary behavior changes were group heterogeneous. The findings of this study can provide scientific foundations for group-targeted dietary behavior optimization to reduce water footprints, as well as interregional collaboration for sustainable food and water resource management. [Display omitted] •Nearly half of food-related water footprints of income groups happened in external regions.•High-income groups significantly affect water withdrawals of northern regions.•Food consumption structure changes of income groups helped to reduce external water withdrawals.•Group-targeted dietary behavior optimization and interregional collaboration are required.