Concepts in sustainable systems: the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus

February 16, 2023

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a concept in sustainability that seeks to explore the relationship between water, energy, and food security. It highlights the interconnectedness of these resources and stresses the importance of managing them as a system rather than as individual components. By doing so, it provides an important framework for understanding how water, energy, and food systems interact with one another across multiple scales and geographic locations.

The WEF nexus also recognizes that water, energy, and food are essential inputs into any human society; without them we cannot survive. As such, their availability must be managed responsibly if we are to ensure sustainable development for future generations. This requires integrated approaches to water management that take into account factors like climate change, water availability, water quality and water demand across different water uses.

A number of successful applications of the WEF nexus have been put in place in different regions, including WEF security strategies that focus on holistic water management approaches. In climates that do not suffer from extreme drought or water shortages, WEF systems tend to focus on shared use and management of a common water system. For example, in North America, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (1972) was an early example of how governments can effectively collaborate across state and provincial boundaries to ensure water quality is maintained in a shared water body. Equally, in Europe, the Water Framework Directive (2000) is another example of how water management can be improved through integrated water resource planning and management.

Climates that are more likely to suffer from extreme drought or water shortages have put in place integrated water resource management (IWRM) approaches in order to ensure water security for a region characterized by water scarcity and competing water use demands. This approach focuses on water efficiency through demand-side management, public-private collaboration, water reuse and wastewater treatment, among other measures. Countries such as Thailand and India have developed these systems for agricultural applications, including water management plans that combine both traditional farming practices and modern innovations like drip irrigation.

WEF systems can help to ensure water security in times of water scarcity, as well as improve water quality and reduce environmental degradation through improved water management. Additionally, they can promote economic development through increased efficiency in water use, as well as provide long-term resilience against climate change. Finally, WEF systems can also help to foster collaboration between stakeholders, such as governments, businesses and civil society. This collaborative approach is essential for the effective implementation of water resource policies and practices across multiple scales.

Financing and making WEF systems operational can pose particular challenges, such as accessing the necessary funding or appropriate water infrastructure. Developing countries, in particular, face difficulties in accessing the requisite financing for water projects due to limited capital and high interest rates. For these reasons, water-energy-food nexus systems should be designed with an emphasis on cost effectiveness and long-term durability. On the other hand, banks, funds and development institutions may be unfamiliar with technologies that support WEF systems, rendering the business case more difficult from an investment perspective.

Fortunately, a number of tools exist to support the case for projects that incorporate WEF approaches, including the the water-energy-food nexus toolkit, which helps to assess water security and water availability in a particular region; and the GWP Nexus platform, an online resource for practitioners on water management. Policy studies such as those provided by the OECD also contain a number of case studies, resources and stakeholders that can share best practices and leads for project finance.

Water-energy-food nexus systems are essential to ensure water security and drive sustainable development efforts in both developed and developing countries. They must be implemented with consideration of cost effectiveness, long term sustainability, public private collaboration and financing opportunities. Such approaches can help foster efficient water use while promoting economic growth and resilience against climate change for future generations.

CPM