The intersectoral relationships of water resources in the Brazilian economy

Abstract

The article evaluates the intersectoral relations that are established between water flows and the economic activities of the Brazilian economy. For this, an ecological input-product model was built that incorporates an environmental vector of physical flows of water use and consumption in each sector. Sectoral linkage indicators showed that the electricity sector strongly encourages water use in the country and the agricultural sector the highest water consumption. Just over one third of the water consumed by the country’s economic activities is exported. Mainly through export agriculture that accounts for 88.79% of “virtual water”.