Abstract
The imbalance between resource availability and population increase requires transformative approaches to inform policy, decision-making and practice on coherent adaptation strategies for improved livelihoods and resilient communities. Nexus approaches are built on an understanding that natural processes do not operate in isolation within a system; hence, an emergent challenge in one unit obviously disturbs the whole system. This study applied an integrated water-energy-food (WEF) nexus analytical model to holistically assess resource availability, distribution, use and management at a local level in Sakhisizwe Local Municipality, South Africa. The aim was to inform strategies and guidelines on improving livelihoods of resource-poor rural communities. The calculated municipal composite index of 0.185, coupled with a deformed spider graph, represents a marginally sustainable resource management result. The analysis simplified the relationship between the intricately interlinked socio-ecological components and facilitated the identification of priority areas for intervention. The process provides pathways that steer resource use efficiencies and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unlike current linear approaches, integrated and transformative approaches like the WEF nexus provide a multidisciplinary platform for stakeholder engagement to sustainably enhance cross-sectoral coordination of resource management and harmonisation of policies and strategies. The WEF nexus approach is useful for informing decisions on improving livelihoods, enhancing resource securities, identifying priority areas for intervention and providing transformative pathways towards sustainable development.
Highlights
Water, energy and food are essential resources that sustain life and livelihoods [1]
Due to lack of data at a local level, the pairwise comparison matrix (PCM) was developed based on expert advice and general knowledge of the municipality [44]
We developed a conceptual framework to illustrate the interlinked socio-ecological components and establish the quantitative relationships of those components. This facilitated an understanding of socio-ecological connections and sustainable livelihoods-environment co-benefits at a local scale
Summary
Energy and food are essential resources that sustain life and livelihoods [1]. Water and energy are important requirements in food production; energy is important in water management (extraction, treatment and redistribution); and energy generation needs water [2]. This intricate relationship is known as the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus [3,4]. As WEF sectors are interlinked, so are the challenges, so much that focusing on one sector can potentially aggravate and/or transfer stresses to other sectors [9] This interconnectedness, and challenges that arise thereof, requires systemic and transformative approaches such as circular economy, scenario planning, sustainable food systems and nexus planning to manage trade-offs and synergies and achieve sustainability [10]
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