Chapter 4 - The food–energy–water nexus approach

Abstract

The food–energy–water nexus emerged as a concept in resource management that puts the interrelations between the different resources into focus. The vast number of scientific publications related to the nexus, however, makes it difficult for researchers to stay on top of ongoing research. In this chapter, the FEW nexus is defined as a research framework containing five different spaces: the natural, technical, economic, political, and social. In line with the research focus, this chapter defines the important system elements and offers three consecutive rules allowing a structured nexus analysis. Eventually, it brings the different spaces together within a nexus staircase design. The framework is especially suitable for comparative studies that can generate transferable solutions.