Challenges and opportunities associated with the role of forestry in promoting water-energy and food security nexus in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper discusses the extent to which decentralised and participatory forest resources management contributes to promoting synergies and reducing trade-offs in the water-energy and food security nexus in Ethiopia. After having briefly highlighted the historical and institutional context of forest management policy in the country, we provide an articulated and holistic nexus framework that takes into account the complementarity and interconnectedness that emerge from simultaneous natural resources uses. Moreover, the proposed framework takes into account the competing interests that exist between forest and other natural resources such as water, energy and land use for agriculture. Forest policy is therefore elaborated in a broader context where there are synergies and trade-offs associated with natural resource management. This paper finally outlines the institutional settings and governance structures that support a nexus management approach, which provides policy innovations that are required to achieve optimal economic and non-economic values of forest and alternative natural resources uses.