The water-energy-food nexus in the anthropocene: moving from ‘nexus thinking’ to ‘nexus action’

Simpson, Gareth; Jewitt, Graham

doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2019.10.007

Cited by 60 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Critiques have been raised against the expected outcome in applying the nexus concept in various places around the world. Among the criticisms are the inability to consider inherent political factors [23], the main democratic goal of sustainability [25], gender aspects, and integration of programs, policies, and institutions at the national level [24], as well as the operationalization of WEF nexus in the decision-making process [38]. These issues are summarised in Table 3.…”

Section: Literature Criticisms On the Wef Nexus Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Critical Review, Practical Applications, and Prospects for Future Research

et al. 2021

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This paper presents knowledge gaps and critiques on the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus that have emerged since the concept of the WEF nexus was proposed by the World Economic Forum and the Bonn 2011 Conference. Furthermore, this study analyses current innovations on the WEF nexus concept, applications, and impacts during the period of 2012–2020. This begins by reviewing ten WEF nexus frameworks developed by international organizations and researchers. On this basis, several gaps and omissions in nexus frameworks are obvious in almost all developed frameworks. Studies that start to address some of these gaps are analysed, but they are relatively few and do not address all gaps. Several proposed improvements to nexus frameworks are identified to narrow the gaps and put the concept into practical implementation in WEF resources management and governance. Four principles and the perspective of “from local to global” for future WEF nexus framework development and analysis are suggested to ensure that the security of water, energy, and food resources can be achieved sustainably in local communities. This will improve the impact of national and global ambitions on WEF security.

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Section: Literature Criticisms On the Wef Nexus Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Critical Review, Practical Applications, and Prospects for Future Research

et al. 2021

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“…The nexus concept has been widely promoted in policies since 2011, and albeit there is an open debate regarding its precise meaning and application, the “nexus thinking” is a common fundamental agreement ( Simpson and Jewitt, 2019a ). The term “nexus thinking” means looking at water, food, energy, and ecosystem behaviour simultaneously, rather than look at any of them in individually.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An analytical framework to assess SDG targets within the context of WEFE nexus in the Mediterranean region

Malagó

Comero

Bouraoui

et al. 2021

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

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Highlights 29 case studies of WEFE nexus implementation were analysed in the Mediterranean area. An analytical framework was developed investigating the impacts of 15 SDGs. Economic, societal, and environmental perspectives were investigated. The magnitude of interconnection of nexus pillars with SDGs was explicitly quantified. Six types of technologies were assessed in achieving the SDG targets and WEFE nexus. The analysis showed the need of a more holistic nexus approach integrated into the project design.

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“…In spite of and, perhaps, because of current challenges, recent reviews suggest that there is an urgent need for pathways to action, and that socially-engaged multi-and inter-disciplinary approaches are key to transforming FWE science (Scanlon et al 2017;Simpson and Jewitt 2019a). FWE system change is a reflexive, ongoing process that requires interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary coordination to achieve desirable impacts (Scanlon et al 2017;Allouche et al 2018;Pahl-Wostl 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Calls are growing to incorporate these considerations, and foster solutions-oriented implementation at the urban level (Romero-Lankao et al 2017;Liu et al 2017;Allouche et al 2018;Simpson and Jewitt 2019a). Cities are drivers of global environmental change (Grimm et al 2008), and are increasingly seen as key to understanding and managing the FWE nexus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing the urban food–water–energy nexus through urban laboratories: a systematic literature review

2021

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The sustainability of complex resource systems, such as the food, water, and energy (FWE) nexus, is increasingly threatened by climate change impacts, expanding populations, urbanization, and economic instability. However, while research on the topic has burgeoned, studies focused on solution development and implementation, especially at the urban level, have lagged behind. Against this background, we review the urban FWE nexus literature. We focus on the operationalization of solutions for implementation, and seek to identify opportunities for participatory approaches. Our results suggest that operationalization would benefit from: (1) more fully integrating urban social complexity; (2) extending our understanding of the nexus to include social responses to the impacts of interventions; and (3) ensuring that projects build knowledge that is not only actionable, but also credible, salient, and legitimate. We then discuss the potential of local, transdisciplinary approaches, in the form of urban laboratories, to shift the focus of FWE nexus research towards operationalization. We conclude with five recommendations: (1) knowledge development should extend to implementation; (2) stakeholders should be engaged, and be able to align solutions with the agency to implement; (3) research should move beyond material flows, and focus on the behaviors, habits, and social patterns that underpin urban complexity; (4) FWE nexus thinking should become part of participatory/laboratory approaches; and (5) policymakers should integrate nexus research into municipal strategies and plans.

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The water-energy-food nexus in the anthropocene: moving from ‘nexus thinking’ to ‘nexus action’

Cited by 60 publications

References 27 publications

Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Critical Review, Practical Applications, and Prospects for Future Research

Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Critical Review, Practical Applications, and Prospects for Future Research

An analytical framework to assess SDG targets within the context of WEFE nexus in the Mediterranean region

Implementing the urban food–water–energy nexus through urban laboratories: a systematic literature review

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