Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze, from a quantitative point of view, the water impact resulting from the use of various types of crops in the production of biodiesel. Particularly the study identifies three agricultural feedstock, uses the value of the water footprint associated with them as discriminating criteria and gives rise to a water footprint value for the entire Italian biodiesel production from 2008 to 2012. Through this assessment and the values related to the water resources consumption it could be possible to identify the most water efficient combination. The study represent, in fact, an original contribution for the identification of potential environmental
policy drivers in the context of an economic sector characterized by potential growth, serving as a guide for the resolution of the trade-off between energy demand and water impact.