Framing the Water-energy Nexus for the Post-2015 Development Agenda (original) (raw)
Related papers
Energy, Sustainability and Society, 2021
Background: There have been numerous studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy systems, land use, water use and climate adaptation and impacts. These studies have filled a gap in the literature to allow for more effective policymaking by considering the trade-offs between land use, energy infrastructure as well as the use of water for agriculture and providing energy services. Though these studies fill a significant gap in the modelling literature, we argue that more work is needed to effectively consider policy trade-offs between the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) to avoid missing important interactions. Results: We examine the 17 SDGs individually to determine if it should be included in a modelling framework and the challenges of doing so. We show that the nexus of climate, land, energy and water needs to be expanded to consider economic well-being of both individuals and the greater economy, health benefits and impacts, as well as land use in terms of both food production and in terms of sustaining ecological diversity and natural capital. Such an expansion will allow energy systems models to better address the trade-offs and synergies inherent in the SDGs. Luckily, although there are some challenges with expanding the nexus in this way, we feel the challenges are generally modest and that many model structures can already incorporate many of these factors without significant modification. Finally, we argue that SDGs 16 and 17 cannot be met without open-source models and open data to allow for transparent analysis that can be used and reused with a low cost of entry for modellers from less well-off nations. Conclusions: To effectively address the SDGs, there is a need to expand the common definition of the nexus of climate, land, energy, and water to include the synergies and trade-offs of health impacts, ecological diversity and the system requirements for human and environmental well-being. In most cases, expanding models to be able to incorporate these factors will be relatively straight forward, but open models and analysis are needed to fully support the SDGs.
Earth's Future
The water‐energy‐food (WEF) nexus is a prominent approach for addressing today's sustainable development challenges. In our critical appraisal of the WEF, covering different approaches, drivers, enablers, and applications, we emphasize the situation across the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean). Here, WEF research covers at least 23 focal domains. We find that the nexus is still a maturing paradigm primarily rooted in a physical and natural sciences framing, which is itself embedded in a neoliberal securities narrative. While providing insights and tools to address the systemic interdependencies between resource sectors whose exploitation, degradation, and sub‐optimal management contribute to (un)sustainable development, there is still insufficient engagement with social, political, and economic dimensions. Progress related to climate, urbanization, and resource consumption is encouraging, but while governance and finance are central enablers of current...
2013
UNU-INWEH is supported by the Government of Canada the united nations university-institute for water, environment and health is a member of the United Nations University family of organizations. It is the UN Think Tank on Water created by the UNU Governing Council in 1996. The mission of the institute is to contribute to efforts to resolve pressing regional and global water challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their people, through targeted research, capacity development, knowledge enhancement and transfer, and public outreach. It is hosted by the Government of Canada and McMaster University. This report has made us realize that more concerted efforts at all levels are required to create the enabling environment necessary to implement solutions and that such efforts will have to be broader than just dealing directly with water issues. Transparent and accountable governance will have to support all aspects of a sustainable planet. As we approach some planetary tipping points, and resulting irreversible changes, innovative perspectives and paradigm shifts are necessary. This report is meant to enable that process. We look forward to engaging with the UN member states and other stakeholders in order to discuss its findings and address emerging issues through future studies.
Integrated Water-Energy Policy for Sustainable Development
Foresight and STI Governance, 2018
Numerous studies indicate a close interdependence between the water and energy industries given that energy production is usually characterized by high water-consuming capacity and that increasing water availability requires significant energy costs. The integration of energy and water policies at the global and national levels is seen as a tool for achieving sustainable development goals. The paper analyzes the opportunities for countries to ensure equal access to clean water and electricity due to such integration. The case studies of India, Ghana, and Morocco illustrate how to achieve success when applying a nexus approach to water and energy policy. This study offers unique contributions to the literature by providing a pioneering analysis of the relationship between global goals for energy and water access and national governments’ abilities to develop synergistic energy and water policies. The proposed approach to integrating energy and water use could be applied throughout the full range of sustainable development goals and will be crucial for the success of countries in their implementation.
2015
Sharply escalating demands, worsening pollution, and extreme climatic events jeopardise the security of the world’s water systems. An integrated perspective that positions water at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can help make these systems more secure. Failure to operationalise an integrated perspective could conversely undermine several key sustainability objectives. The areas of food, health, energy, and environment are most at risk. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has already made some progress in many countries, but making it fully operational requires actively pursuing policies and practices that leverage synergies between water and other sustainability objectives by using integrated approaches. In that sense, integrated approaches, both within and between sectors, should be one of the cornerstones of the SDGs.
The global governance of water, energy, and food nexus: allocation and access for competing demands
International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 2020
Globally, 3 billion people are without access to modern fuels or technologies for cooking/ heating, 900 million people lack access to safe water, 2.6 billion lack improved sanitation, 2 billion people lack food security intermittently, and more than 820 million people are chronically hungry due to extreme poverty. This paper on the allocation of and access to water, energy and food (WEF) nexus rests on the 'Rawlsian' conception of distributive justice to human security and the competing demands for WEF. Based on a review of papers on access and allocation published from 2008 through 2020, this paper finds that 'policy coordination' among all the actors (at all levels in general and local levels in particular) governing the water-energy-food nexus is the key to promoting equitable allocation of and access to WEF. Only legitimate governance with robust legal structures in place can provide for the equitable allocation in the WEF nexus. Effective stakeholder participation in governance of the nexus is necessary and ensured when power asymmetries, interdependencies and rights are accounted for in principles of procedural justice. Moreover, to ensure access to people in the WEF nexus, the distribution of the three goods and related rights must be delivered as a 'triplet'. This will promote the goal to mitigate trade-offs and promote synergies among the resources as well as conserve the environment within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.