Compiled after consultation with more than 700 individuals, numerous organisations and networks, it was the first critical evaluation of: The assessment confirmed that agriculture consumes more water resources than any other sector.

[3] The report's authors forecast that the need for water would double within 50 years, due to global population rise, more people choosing to eat a diet of meat and vegetables rather than primarily consuming cereals, and climate change.

Economic growth fuels changes in diets; for example, per capita meat demand in China has quadrupled over the last 30 years, and milk and egg products are becoming increasingly popular in India.

They suggested that with wise policies and investments in irrigation, upgrading rainfed agriculture, and trade it would be possible to limit future growth in water withdrawals to 13% and the expansion of cultivated land to 9%.

The Assessment found the greatest potential lay in rainfed areas of the world housing the highest number of poor people.