Tools for analyzing the waterfoodenergyecosystems nexus. Agriculture is the largest consumer of the worlds freshwater resources, and more than onequarter of the energy used globally is expended on food. Through a comprehensive search of the literature vetted by industry, government, the energy water food nexus. Alain vidal, cgiar challenge program on water and food cpwf background to the nexus and case studies case study nexus case study nexus ecowas ensuring water, food and energy security in the ecowas region. We classify these methods as qualitative or quantitative for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches. Recent thinking, illustrated by the framings of the energywaterfood nexus shown in figures 2 and 3, recognizes the earth as a large coupled human and natural system consisting of many smaller. Apr 01, 2014 the food, energy water nexus is central to the sustainability of south africas future. There are numerous ways in which the three strands of water, energy and food overlap. The water food energy nexus has emerged as one of the most important management challenges facing the sustainability agenda. The water, energy and food security nexus according to the food and agriculture organisation of the united nations fao, means that water security, energy security and food security are very much linked to one another, meaning that the actions in any one particular area often can have effects in one or both of the other areas. Water, energy and food nexus of indus water treaty.
Methodologies for managing the energywaterfood nexus at. The connection between the systems is known as the water energy food nexus. Understanding the waterenergyfood nexus in a warming. Insights for the business community to address some of their questions. The chemistry connection provides todays scientists with the background information necessary to fully understand the inextricable link between food, energy and water and how this conceptual framework should form the basis for all contemporary research and development in chemistry in particular, and the sciences in. Water, energy, food nexus thinking explained youtube. The largest uses of freshwater are for agriculture irrigation, energy extractions, and the thermal cooling of power plants. Relevant reports, articles and research this list of reports, articles and research that illustrates and documents the water energy food wef nexus.
While many of them call out the wef nexus specifically, some of them might not have as obvious a connection, so weve made those connections for you. Upper riparian diverted 34 million acre feet maf water out of eastern rivers before entering into pakistan and launched runofriver power plants spree on western rivers in. The availability of fresh water is a major driver in food production. The food energy water nexus few nexus has emerged as a new way of understanding the interdependencies among food, energy and water systems, and as a new approach to integrating management and governance across sectors biggs et al. In this context, the waterenergyfood nexus has emerged as a key concept to. Renewable energy in the water, energy and food nexus aims to bridge this gap, providing the broad analysis that has been lacking on the interactions of renewables within those key. Pdf the nile system dynamics model for waterfoodenergy. There is a growing recognition of the interdependencies among the supply systems that rely upon food, water and energy. Understanding and managing the complex interactions between water, energy and food water, energy and food are essential for human wellbeing, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
The water, energy and food security nexus approach, as advanced by the bonn2011 conference 2012a, b. Evaluations of food, energy and water few linkages are rapidly emerging in contemporary nexus studies. Developing food, water and energy nexus workflows iiasa pure. The energy water food nexus concept is now seen as a key paradigm in sustainable development strategies. In this study, we investigate three opensource models for their potential application as part of a nexus framework.
For instance, largescale hydraulic infrastructure projects such as snwd or any other. Currently, the basin experiences challenges stemming from a rapid population increase and the. It is clear that solutions must be found to assure water security, thereby eliminating the immediate and increasing risk to food security, energy security, and economic growth and stability. New perspectives on the water energy food nexus forum background note water, food and energy security are crucial for sustainable longterm economic growth and human wellbeing and there are strong linkages between all three. Another phd student will focus on the waterlandfood nexus. Interdependencies between food, energy and water systems figure 5. Ian mccalluma, carsten montzkab, bagher bayat b, stefan kolletb, andrii kolotii c,d. This paper focuses on a collection of methods that can be used to analyze the water energy food wef nexus. Nexus thinking considering the waterenergyfood nexu mdpi. The water food energy nexus is emerging as a critical issue in asia and the pacific. The first challenge in dealing with the waterenergyfood nexus is to understand it. Wef nexus case studies from europe and germany the workshop participants learn about different perspectives, needs, priorities and values of other sectors and their interconnections in an interactive and participatory way.
The nile river is considered one of the most complex rivers in the world because of its transboundary nature and its significance for riparian countries. The waterlandfood nexus of firstgeneration biofuels. The first section emphasizes water desalination, water management, and wastewater treatment. The methods for interdisciplinary research approaches can be used to unify a collection of related variables, visualize the research problem, evaluate the issue, and. Waterenergyfood nexus, security, sustainable development, mediterranean. Consider how and where all three are used in the us as events like droughts, oil spills and fluctuating food prices make clear, the us cannot view these systems in isolation. New perspectives on the waterenergy food nexus forum background note water, food and energy security are crucial for sustainable longterm economic growth and human wellbeing and there are strong linkages between all three. The main objective of the current research is providing a method for the decision makers to analysis the water food energy nexus of the crop production system at the national level and carrying out a quantitative. The nexus approach aims to identify tradeoffs and synergies of water, energy, and food systems, internalize social and environmental impacts, and guide development of cross. Water, food and energy are all basic resources underpinning development, not just in terms of poverty alleviation but also more sustained economic growth and social development. Food portfolio identifying local food production levels versus. Development investments are increasingly required to consider nexus tradeoffs.
To really benefit from the nexus approach in terms of resource use efficiency it is essential to understand, operationalize and practice the nexus of all three resources. Discussion on the water, energy and food security nexus, the challenges of meeting future demands and maintaining the services provided by the environment was central to the recent bonn2011. The water food energy climate nexus and as a background paper to a major conference on the nexus in bonn 2011 called understanding the nexus. Global projections indicate that demand for freshwater, energy and food will increase significantly over. This report examines the current state of knowledge about the ewf nexus. Towards a practical planning and decisionsupport framework for landscape investment and risk management 1 preface the concept that water, energy and food wef securities are interdependentnot easily disentangledis. Waterenergy nexus in the peoples republic of china and emerging issues was prepared by pradeep perera of east asia department of the asian development bank under the guidance of ashok bhargava, director, energy division, east asia department, adb. The water food energy nexus is central to sustainable development. Analysis the water food energy nexus is the first step to assess the decision maker in developing and evaluating national strategies that take into account the nexus. Introduction to the waterenergy food wef security nexus 2. The water energy food nexus and climate change adaptation article pdf available in change and adaptation in socioecological systems 21 january 2015 with 1 reads how we measure.
This water food energy nexus looks at the debate on resource scarcity, with new scientific findings that suggested humanity has exceeded the planetary boundaries, threatening its own safety. Developing food, water and energy nexus workflows juser. Waterenergy nexus in the peoples republic of china and. Cwc studies how the water, food, and energy sectors are interrelated and how climate affects this dynamic. These three sectors water, energy and food security nexus are. Water footprints take an innovative approach to the water. If it is a water perspective, then food and energy systems are users of the resource see hellegers, et al. This waterfoodenergy nexus looks at the debate on resource scarcity, with new scientific findings that suggested humanity has exceeded the planetary boundaries, threatening its own safety. Water food energy nexus water resources are inextricably intertwined with food and energy production. Thus food, water, and energy are inextricably linked and must be considered together as a system. This paper demonstrates, from a food consumption perspective, the potential of life cycle thinking in understanding the complex and often hidden linkages between few systems.
In any case, all nexus interventions must take due account of crosscutting issues, principles and good practices in development cooperation. A system dynamics approach to integrated water and energy. This helps to identify common objectives and entry points for. The food energy water nexus water, as well as the treatment of wastewater, are energy intensive processes. Finally, both energy and food production can significantly affect the quality of water bodies. Nexus thinking is a new way of thinking that recognises the crucial interdependence of water, energy and food a relationship that forms the core of the environment nexus project. A nexus approach can support the transition to a green economy, which aims, among other things, at resource use efficiency and greater policy coherence. Trends in the development of waterenergyfood nexus methods. The waterfoodenergy nexus is a new approach for sustainabilitydirected research. Food, water, and energy are inextricably linked in a nexus, and actions in one sector influence the others. The wef nexus is broadly defined as an approach that considers the interactions, synergies, harmonisation, and tradeoffs between water, energy, and food when undertaking the management of these resources. A system dynamics approach to integrated water and energy resources management. Integrated scenarios to support analysis of the food.
Renewable energy in the water, energy and food nexus. The water energy food climate nexus business leaders at the world economic forum annual meeting in 2008 set out a call to action on water, to raise awareness and develop a better understanding of how water is linked to economic growth across a nexus of issues and to make clear the water security challenge we face if a business. The waterfoodenergy nexus is an approach to consider the interactions between water. Demand for all three is increasing, driven by a rising global population, rapid urbanization, changing diets and economic growth. Water and food security, appearing in uns sustainable development goals, are operationalized and assessed in scenario studies employing the water and land footprint concepts. As an overview, the chapter can only touch on key issues, highlighting certain actors, forces and factors in contemporary africaasian relations. The waterenergyfood nexus is about understanding and managing these oftencompeting interests while also ensuring the integrity of ecosystems. Mar 22, 2017 analysis the waterfoodenergy nexus is the first step to assess the decision maker in developing and evaluating national strategies that take into account the nexus. Position paper on the status of the water food energy nexus in.
Food, energy, and water national science foundation. Unless all three elements of the system are in balance, communities cannot flourish. Aug 14, 2017 the nexus has been discussed, debated, researched, and advocated widely but the focus is often on the pairings of waterenergy or waterfood or energyfood. In this regard, emerging crosssectoral approaches such as the water energy food wef nexus could be useful. The nexus has been discussed, debated, researched, and advocated widely but the focus is often on the pairings of water energy or water food or energy food. The waterenergyfood nexus food and agriculture organization.
New technologies for a more resilient, secure and equitable water future. The water energy food wef nexus is rapidly expanding in scholarly literature and policy settings as a novel way to address complex resource and development challenges. The waterfoodenergy nexus realising a new paradigm. The waterenergyfood nexus at fao global water partnership. This is done by using data from several subsaharan countries. Water is required to meet the demands of our growing population, to maintain and improve environmental health, and to support the production of food. Improved water, energy, and food security on a global level can be achieved through a nexus approachan approach that integrates management and governance across sectors and scales. Water, food and energy nexus challenges 5 impact on water by 2050, irrigated agriculture on 16% of the total cultivated area is expected to be responsible for 44% of total crop production. Activities in one sector may influence or even constrain economic growth in the others. This is an excerpt from the original article, which can be accessed. With the world population growing at a rate of around 80 million people a year, it is estimated that by 2030 the world will need 30% more water, 40% more energy and 50% more food.
The water and food strands of the nexus are inherently linked and have a longstanding record of codependency, resulting in cooperation but it is in the energy strand where the challenges for the uk and the balance for the nexus are going to be under most scrutiny. Creating 21st century abundance through public policy innovation he is currently working on. The second section discusses cereal processing, sustainable food security, bioenergy in food production, water and energy consumption in food processing, and mathematical modeling for food undergoing phase changes. Pdf the waterenergyfood security nexus in the mediterranean.
Untangling the water food energy environment nexus for global change adaptation in a complex himalayan water resource system. The waterenergyfood wef nexus builds on the close linkages. Position paper on water, energy, food and ecosystems wefe nexus and sustainable development goals sdgs 12 2. Nafsar workflow working draft fao and university of southampton. Of all natural resources, energy, water and food are most needed to sustain life on earth. The nexus term in the context of water, food and energy refers to these sectors being inextricably linked so that actions in one policy area commonly have impacts on the others, as well as on the ecosystems that natural resources and human activities ultimately depend upon. The approach to the energy, water, and food efw nexus normally depends on the perspective of the policymaker. A dynamic, sectorally balanced nexus framework can reveal new systems understanding. Water, energy and food nexus of this treaty bonds upper and lower riparian to comply with water governance principles. Managing the food, water, and energy nexus for achieving the.
Pdf developing countries struggle to implement suitable electric power and water services, failing to match infrastructure with urban. The waterenergyfood nexus can be framed within the broader sustainability debate and as part of faos vision of sustainable food and agriculture to achieve its mandate of eradi cating hunger, reducing poverty, and sustainably managing and using natural resources and. World economic forum 2011, the bonn 2011 nexus conference, the sixth world water forum, and world water week 2012, have urged an integrated approach to food, water, and. Pdf sustainable planning of the energywaterfood nexus using. Water is the nexus between food, energy, and people. Pdf the water energy food nexus and climate change. Hoff, 2011, attempts for a new perspective on problems of nonsustainable developments that have supposedly put humanity at the brink of extinction. The food energy water nexus understanding south africas. This approach will enhance the understanding of the complex and dynamic interrelationships between energy, water and food, and facilitate more sustainable management of these finite resources. The water food energy nexus of biofuel consumption can be further analyzed by evaluating the tradeoff between the maximum number of people the planet could feed, and a partial conversion of the. At its 24th session, the committee on agriculture faos main technical advisory committee approved faos water governance for agriculture and food security programme, specifically mentioning the waterenergyfood nexus. Considering the energy, water, and food security nexus.
From silos to nexus water security, energy security, and food security are intimately linked. Water food energy security nexus in asia and the pacific region a position paper commissioned by the united nations economic and social commission for asia and the pacific. Research will contribute to the global aqua21 tool, including a. Climate change adaptation through the waterenergyfood. Pdf the water energy food security nexus in the mediterranean. This interconnectivity is illustrated by figure 6, a hybrid. The food energy water nexus in south africa youtube. Nexus platform the waterenergyfood nexus nexus the. This article implements an analytical framework to evaluate three sectors in the water energy food wef field, namely resources, services and health outcomes. Important early publications includes a world economic forum report entitled water security. We present a holistic framework for the analysis of nexus tradeoffs. Water, energy and food pillars of global security, prosperity and equity perspectives water perspective food and energy systems are users of resources food perspective water and energy are inputs energy perspective water is the input and food is the output vast individual areas. Can nexus thinking alleviate global water, food and. A nexus is the place where points intersect, linking many different parts of a system together.
561 243 475 126 1083 977 227 595 1238 241 458 986 258 1145 706 685 1313 971 893 134 3 1230 1030 489 70 915 569 683 400 1445 334 13 433 1181 1158 816 272 1488 1445 14 323 893 1332 85 530 1474 1391 385 816