Chapter 10 - The water–energy–food nexus as an approach for achieving sustainable development goals 2 (food), 6 (water), and 7 (energy)

Abstract

The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has attracted growing attention as an approach for integrated natural resources management through enhancing synergies and minimizing trade-offs in the three resources sectors. The WEF nexus has further been identified as a viable approach to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (food), 6 (water), and 7 (energy). This chapter presents an overview of how the WEF nexus could be applied to achieve SDGs 2, 6, and 7. It looks at the WEF nexus as a natural resources management tool, the SDGs dimensions in the WEF nexus, and the synergies and trade-offs in the WEF nexus with a focus on achieving zero hunger (SDG2), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), and affordable clean energy (SDG 7). It is also argued that the possibilities of using the WEF nexus as an approach for achieving the highlighted SDGs and food and nutrition security are conditional on several drivers prevailing across varying contexts. This chapter ends by discussing the communications pathway approach for upscaling and outscaling the WEF nexus as a natural resources management tool to attain SDGs 2, 6, and 7at different spatial and temporal scales.