Water sustainability for China and beyond

An increase investment in water infrastructure is not enough for China to achieve water sustainability. Complex human-nature interactions must be addressed. Policy recommendations made include: 1) Coordination, especially cross organizational levels and sectors, 2) Integrated monitoring and proactive measures, which China can learn from the experience of other countries, 3) Integrating social sciences, 4) Enhancing international cooperation, etc. In order to reduce its water footprint, an integrated approach, considering other issues, is recommended. Specifically, Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) may be a good example.