Abstract
This study has developed a methodology for the nexus approach by integrating interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary concepts and qualitative and quantitative mixed methods into the process of the systems thinking approach. The nexus approach was institutionalized in two projects using the location specific case study of Beppu, Japan where a set of interconnected issues in using geothermal hot spring resources have emerged due to the promotion of geothermal energy development under low-carbon policies at global and national levels. The interlinkages among geothermal hot spring resources, including heat, steam, nutrients, and drainage between land and coastal systems were analyzed to improve decision- and policy-making. This study discusses (1) how different discipline-oriented methods and data are integrated, (2) how much of the targeted water-energy-food nexus systems are understood using the nexus approach, and (3) how far does the nexus approach influence changes in the policy agenda and human behavior regarding sustainable geothermal hot spring resources use. The nexus approach facilitated the sequential integration of individual methods and data to better explain the causal linkages focusing on water-energy-food resources in the human-nature systems in Beppu. The proposed policy recommendations are based on the local government initiative for continuing to conduct citizen participatory surveys on geothermal hot spring resources. Transferring the developed methodology will help to effectively develop geothermal hot spring resources and compliment the current national renewable energy and natural resource policies and management.
Highlights
Current Discussion on the WEF NexusThe interdependencies and tradeoffs among energy, food, and water resource systems and sectors have become apparent with the background of socio-economic and climate events triggered in the early 2000’s
This study aims to develop a methodology for the nexus approach by integrating interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary concepts and qualitative and quantitative mixed methods into the process of the systems thinking approach under two projects
This study discusses (1) how different discipline-oriented methods and data are integrated, (2) whether the methodology developed for the nexus approach is useful for understanding the targeted natural and social systems, or rather how much of the targeted WEF nexus systems are understood using the methodology developed for the nexus approach, and (3) how far does the nexus approach influence changes in the policy agenda and human behavior regarding sustainable geothermal hot spring resources use
Summary
Current Discussion on the WEF NexusThe interdependencies and tradeoffs among energy, food, and water resource systems and sectors have become apparent with the background of socio-economic and climate events triggered in the early 2000’s. Severe drought in the USA in 2007, 2008, and 2012, and the extreme heatwaves in Europe in 2003, 2006, and 2009 increased electricity generation and water demand for thermal power plant cooling. This resulted in output reductions or total shut down at several power plants owing to limitations of water availability or water rights, as well as policies related to avoiding the violation of the thermal pollution limits (DeNooyer et al, 2016; Webber, 2017; Gjorgiev and Sansavini, 2018).
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