Evaluation of water resources sustainable development in karst area based on the improved emergy ecological footprint model: a case study of Yunnan Province

Abstract This study combined emergy theory with water ecological footprint to analyze and evaluate the sustainable development status of water resources in Yunnan Province from 2012 to 2021. The water pollutant account and the water product account were supplemented to the water ecological footprint. The results showed that the water resources in Yunnan Province were generally in an ecological deficit during the study period, but their absolute values were very small. The ecological pressure index of water resources was high, while the sustainable utilization index of water resources was low, indicating that the water resources were in a state of unsustainable utilization. However, the emergy ecological footprint of water resources and the emergy ecological footprint of water resources of 10,000 Yuan GDP showed a decreasing trend, and the eco-economic coordination index of water resources was relatively high, indicating that the water resources will show a sustainable development trend in the future. The sustainable development of water resources was influenced by both natural ecological factors and social factors. Therefore, suggestions such as improving the utilization rate of water resources development, developing a green low-carbon economy, preventing and controlling water pollution, and protecting the water environment are conducive to promoting the sustainable development of water resources.