Implementing the water-energy-food nexus approach to create synergies and reduce tradeoffs between the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The Food-Energy-Water nexus approach to resource governance is a paradigm-shifting approach that moves away from “siloed” resource management and pursues integration and holistic planning between food, energy, and water governance. The Food-Energy-Water nexus approach carries the potential to increase synergies and reduce tradeoffs between the Sustainable Development Goals. However, theoretical challenges remain, and practical implementations of the nexus approach have lagged. The purpose of the article is to respond to the theoretical challenges and the need for practical implementations. The article first outlines the relationship between the Food-Energy-Water nexus approach and the Sustainable Development Goals. It then analyzes the relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals, human rights, and the capability approach, an influential account of wellbeing. I then discuss how the Food-Energy-Water nexus approach, in alignment with the capability approach, can contribute to trade-off reductions and synergies between the Sustainable Development Goals. I finally discuss an outline of a context-specific implementation model for a Food-Energy-Water nexus approach capable of mapping and quantifying carbon footprints creating synergies and reducing tradeoffs between the Sustainable Development Goals. A carbon capture and utilization project in the Arctic serves as a test case. Important policy implications of the study include a criterion for what it means to “optimize” the “output” of an algae cultivation system. This criterion is a tool for adjudication between stakeholders’ conflicting priorities.