Abstract
This paper presents knowledge gaps and critiques on the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus that have emerged since the concept of the WEF nexus was proposed by the World Economic Forum and the Bonn 2011 Conference. Furthermore, this study analyses current innovations on the WEF nexus concept, applications, and impacts during the period of 2012–2020. This begins by reviewing ten WEF nexus frameworks developed by international organizations and researchers. On this basis, several gaps and omissions in nexus frameworks are obvious in almost all developed frameworks. Studies that start to address some of these gaps are analysed, but they are relatively few and do not address all gaps. Several proposed improvements to nexus frameworks are identified to narrow the gaps and put the concept into practical implementation in WEF resources management and governance. Four principles and the perspective of “from local to global” for future WEF nexus framework development and analysis are suggested to ensure that the security of water, energy, and food resources can be achieved sustainably in local communities. This will improve the impact of national and global ambitions on WEF security.
Highlights
The connections between the water, energy, and food (WEF) sectors, known as the WEF nexus, are becoming a major academic, policy, and societal topic that is increasingly discussed in global society, including the relationship with ecosystems, livelihoods, and the economy (e.g., [1,2,3])
The secondresearch, step is toand revisit several key nexus. These mapped onto those from the nexus frameworks. These steps allow with thegaps aim are of identifying knowledge, research, and application gaps from those studies
This paper has investigated knowledge gaps, criticisms, and areas for improvement
Summary
The connections between the water, energy, and food (WEF) sectors, known as the WEF nexus, are becoming a major academic, policy, and societal topic that is increasingly discussed in global society, including the relationship with ecosystems, livelihoods, and the economy (e.g., [1,2,3]). The challenges to managing water, energy, and food resources simultaneously and meet multiple potentially conflicting objectives without compromising the resource base of any sector are urgent and need to be resolved as best as possible (i.e., causing the least amount of damage to other sectors) This challenge demands an integrated approach in which the systems are considered as a whole. Has brought the gaps topic were and concept of the WEF approach frameworks and subsequent nexus studies. These mapped onto those from the nexus frameworks These steps allow with thegaps aim are of identifying knowledge, research, and application gaps from those studies. Identification the mapped most urgent in current nexus research These gaps areofthen ontooutstanding those from issues the nexus frameworks.
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