Water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus: An optimization approach incorporating life cycle, security and sustainability assessment

Abstract

Nowadays, ecosystem damages limit sustainable development, which is exacerbated by the scarcity and high demand for resources such as water, energy and food. Therefore, this paper presents a new integrated circular economy approach to optimize the generation, use, and distribution of resources in a given region that takes into account the environmental footprint while considering the net social benefit. Multiple objectives, such as nexus security and environmental damage, are prioritized in terms of three categories: human health, ecosystem quality and resource depletion. The optimization model includes the life cycle analysis for each technology or extraction source with the eco-indicator 99 methodology throughout the supply chain. The determinant variables identified were water availability, renewable energy production and local food production. The food sector is described as promoting the use of hydroponic technologies, animal carrying capacity, and aquaculture activities. An area of Mexico was considered as a case study, considering domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities. The analysis of the variables of interest was carried out using different groups, identifying 7 attractive optimal scenarios. A direct proportion is observed between the security of the water-energy-food nexus and the associated economic profits, while the life cycle assessment fluctuates with the use of services. The results show the satisfaction of the demand for water, energy, and food, highlighting the vulnerability of the food sector concerning the net objectives by including unconventional techniques to provide healthy diets. Food accounts for 76–94% of the total damage caused, where each type of food is analyzed according to the excess energy needed to obtain in the future, the change in biodiversity, and the disability-adjusted life years, having as a reference the main diseases that cause death in Mexico.