Water Energy Food Security Nexus Research Articles

Rethinking Agricultural Policy in Ecuador (1960–2020): Analysis Based on the Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus

Agriculture is the principal source for satisfying the growing global demand for food. However, current production patterns and socioeconomic and demographic pressures could lead to an unsustainable, inequitable food supply. Government interventions support technical advances designed to meet future needs following international trends while overcoming biophysical constraints. Those most often used are focused on augmenting land productivity through mechanisation and increased dependence on external inputs. To that end, public policies have emerged as engines of development in agriculture and the agri-food system. This article provides a chronological analysis of the relevant milestones in the agri-food sector in Ecuador (1960–2020). At first, agrarian reform focused on land distribution and tenure. Subsequently, the focus moved to the implementation of research, technological innovation and technology transfer programmes promoted by the state with support and financing from international organisations. For this article, we chose for our approach the water–energy–food nexus. Until now, insufficient study based on this approach regarding agricultural programmes has been conducted in Ecuador. It is essential to concentrate on this sector because it represents about 10% of the gross domestic product and is a principal source of employment for more than two-thirds of the economically active population in rural areas. However, land fractioning, the lack of project continuity and the focus on the application of technological packages identified in this analysis suggest the need to rethink public policies for a sustainable agri-food system.

Renewable energy adoption and rural livelihoods in Ethiopia

AbstractThe introduction of new policies promoting decentralized energy technologies is likely to have profound effects across all the nexus activities, including agricultural production, input use, and labor allocations. Thus, this paper analyzes the potential synergies and trade‐offs created by the adoption of renewable energy technologies along the water–energy–food security nexus in Ethiopia. We use a mathematical programming‐based household model to compare the impacts of fossil‐based and renewable energy use on rural households’ livelihoods. Our findings show that only a 10% subsidy to the price of biogas digester considerably changes the energy mix of all types of households and increases the use of decentralized modern energy sources. Household crop production patterns are not changed substantially as a consequence of the biogas subsidy, despite the competition over resources between crop and energy production. Nonetheless, the subsidy policy can lead to family labor reallocation from collecting fuelwood to agricultural activities. Moreover, the biogas subsidy can improve household incomes. Specifically, the findings indicate that 10% biogas subsidy can lead to 0.93% and 3.44% increases in the net incomes of wealthier and poorer households, respectively, compared to the business‐as‐usual scenario, that is, also has a pro‐poor dimension. Sensitivity analyses are carried out and it appears among others that more subsidy of the price of biogas digester leads to an increase in the net income of the two household types. Overall, the benefits generated by the biogas subsidy in terms of increases in net household incomes outweigh the total costs of the subsidy program. The findings indicate the importance of the subsidy policy to improve rural households’ welfare.

Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus—Estimating Future Water Demand Scenarios Based on Nexus Thinking: The Watershed as a Territory

Water, energy, and food security are essential for maintenance and human survival. This research applied an approach for the water–energy–food system to a watershed in the Atlantic Rainforest in Southern Brazil. It is based on a WEAP system that was developed and evaluated future water demand scenarios for the 2020–2050 timespan. The Sustainability Index (SI) was used to assess the scenarios to propose an alternative to compare the current development trend. The results indicated that by 2050, the necessary flow for different water uses would be 78.75% greater than in 2020 while maintaining the present scenario (C_REF). Substituting part of the hydroelectric energy by photovoltaic solar energy (C_EAL), implementing watershed action masterplans as a water resource instrument (C_GES), and integrating these scenarios (C_INT) will reduce the current demand ranging from 8.96% to 24.59%. The average flow would decrease by 28.44% and 29.07%, respectively, by evaluating water availability in climatic change scenarios (C_MCL) for the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Compared with the reference scenario C_REF, C_INT presented an improved SI (0.1231), while C_MCL 8.5 presented the worse (−0.0047). Therefore, resources must be generated holistically so that one segment does not negatively impact the others. The findings highlight the pressing need for Santa Catarina State to implement effective management strategies targeting specific sectors, particularly the industrial and human consumption supply sectors. It is imperative to propose adaptation plans and implement actions that foster the reduction in water demands while also providing subsidies and guidance to the industrial sector on responsible water usage to prevent any negative impact on their productivity in the future. Comprehensive plans and policies should be formulated to ensure integration and coherence among various sectors involved in water resource management.

An assessment of strategies for sustainability priority challenges in Jordan using a water–energy–food Nexus approach

This study aimed at supporting robust decision-making for planning and management of water–energy–food Nexus systems in the country of Jordan. Nexus priority challenges in Jordan were identified as (1) water scarcity, (2) agricultural productivity and water quality, and (3) shift to energy independence. We created a water–energy–food Nexus model that integrates three modelling frameworks: (1) the Water Evaluation and Planning system WEAP model to estimate water demands, supplies and allocation; (2) the MABIA model to estimate crop production, and, (3) a GIS-based energy modelling tool to estimate energy requirements of the water system. Through a set of scenario runs, results show how desalination is needed to address water scarcity, but it has to be coupled with low-carbon electricity generation in order to not exacerbate climate change. Improving water productivity in agriculture improves most of the studied dimensions across the water–energy–food security nexus; however, it does little for water scarcity at the municipal level. Reducing non-revenue water can have positive effects on municipal unmet demand and reduction of energy for pumping, but it does not improve agricultural water productivity and may have negative feedback effects on the Jordan Valleys aquifer levels. Energy efficiency can support energy-intensive projects, like desalination, by substantially reducing the load on the energy system, preventing increased emissions and achieving a more resilient water system. Finally, when all interventions are considered together all of the major drawbacks are reduced and the benefits augmented, producing a more holistic solution to the WEF Nexus challenges in Jordan.

Contrasting changes in hydrological processes of the Volta River basin under global warming

Abstract. A comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of climate change on water resources of the West Africa Volta River basin is conducted in this study, as the region is expected to be hardest hit by global warming. A large ensemble of 12 general circulation models (GCMs) from the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) that are dynamically downscaled by five regional climate models (RCMs) from the Coordinated Regional-climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX)-Africa is used. In total, 43 RCM–GCM combinations are considered under three representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5). The reliability of each of the climate datasets is first evaluated with satellite and reanalysis reference datasets. Subsequently, the Rank Resampling for Distributions and Dependences (R2D2) multivariate bias correction method is applied to the climate datasets. The bias-corrected climate projections are then used as input to the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM) for hydrological projections over the 21st century (1991–2100). Results reveal contrasting dynamics in the seasonality of rainfall, depending on the selected greenhouse gas emission scenarios and the future projection periods. Although air temperature and potential evaporation increase under all RCPs, an increase in the magnitude of all hydrological variables (actual evaporation, total runoff, groundwater recharge, soil moisture, and terrestrial water storage) is only projected under RCP8.5. High- and low-flow analysis suggests an increased flood risk under RCP8.5, particularly in the Black Volta, while hydrological droughts would be recurrent under RCP2.6 and RCP4.5, particularly in the White Volta. The evolutions of streamflow indicate a future delay in the date of occurrence of low flows up to 11 d under RCP8.5, while high flows could occur 6 d earlier (RCP2.6) or 5 d later (RCP8.5), as compared to the historical period. Disparities are observed in the spatial patterns of hydroclimatic variables across climatic zones, with higher warming in the Sahelian zone. Therefore, climate change would have severe implications for future water availability with concerns for rain-fed agriculture, thereby weakening the water–energy–food security nexus and amplifying the vulnerability of the local population. The variability between climate models highlights uncertainties in the projections and indicates a need to better represent complex climate features in regional models. These findings could serve as a guideline for both the scientific community to improve climate change projections and for decision-makers to elaborate adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with the consequences of climate change and strengthen regional socioeconomic development.

Water energy food security nexus: perspectives and challenges in Balochistan, Pakistan

This paper utilises the autoregressive distributive lag model to examine the interrelationship between the overall water availability in Pakistan with HDI to uncover the correlation between water insecurity and the standard of living. The paper encapsulates the implications of the water energy food nexus and its challenges in identifying the role water security plays in food and energy production. This analysis helps understand the non-traditional security threats in Balochistan's case under the combined umbrella of the WEF nexus. It further uncovers the different causes of water scarcity in Balochistan and helps understand the role of water property rights. Findings report several projected WEF challenges: inequitable distribution of resources, shortage of dams, poor policy-making and low precipitation. Finally, coupled with high inflation and inadequate distribution of food resources within different regions of Balochistan, this paper reiterates the significance of the nexus and interconnects the WEF insecurities under one paradigm.

Water energy food security nexus: perspectives and challenges in Balochistan, Pakistan

Water energy food security nexus: perspectives and challenges in Balochistan, Pakistan

Infrastructure Shaming and Consequences for Management of Urban WEF Security Nexus in China and India

Worldwide, consumption of resources such as water, energy and food continues to rise exponentially despite environmental and climatic change related challenges. Centralized sewerage systems continue to be implemented worldwide despite being very water and energy intensive, and although this is not always the best option for regions facing water scarcity. Deploying the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach, particularly through alternative technology options that can support decentralized water reclamation with integrated resource recovery, can enable resource conservation and more effective management of the WEF security Nexus for local governments with limited capacities. However, a certain pattern of “business as usual” infrastructure development and investment linked to infrastructure shaming continuously reinforces implementation of centralized sewerage systems, thereby hampering deployment of alternative technology options. This study uses two typical case study towns, Shaxi in China and Leh in India, to describe this pattern. The study finds that alternative technology approaches were in place in both towns. Yet after international consulting companies got involved, centralized sewerage systems were implemented despite limited water availability and large segments of the population not having flush toilets. This study discusses management of the WEF security Nexus implications thereof in the context of cities worldwide and a systemic socio-technical transition to a circular economy.

Quantitative simulation of the water-energy-food (WEF) security nexus in a local planning context in indonesia

Abstract The process of planning and evaluation for local development, especially in the critical sectors of water, energy and food (WEF) should be conducted using a holistic, integrated approach in an attempt to bring the improvement in water, energy and food security in a region. System dynamics models are one of the tools for simulation and assessment of the system-wide impacts caused by local interventions. This research develops a stock-flow diagram (SFD) of WEF security in a local context to be used in analysing the impacts of implementing three planned policy interventions in Karawang Regency, Indonesia. STELLA Professional software is employed to build the SFD and conduct simulation of the WEF security nexus, and is based on a previously developed qualitative causal loop model of the same system (the Karawang WEF security (K-WEFS) model). In the quantitative SFD, four scenarios are developed and assessed in this study; (i) population growth changes; (ii) agricultural land conversion rate changes; (iii) changes in the development of artificial ponds and solar energy; and (iv) per-capita resource consumption changes. The results show several interesting findings related to the WEF security nexus, available resources per person (APP) and self-sufficiency levels (SSL) of resources in business as usual conditions and under planned interventions. Potentially unanticipated detrimental indirect impacts of policy interventions are highlighted. This dynamic support tool could be applied in other local regions to improve the evaluation and planning process of water, energy and food sectors in a holistic manner.

Managing Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus Under Changing Climate: Implementation Challenges and Opportunities in India

Food security concerns, which are very intricately linked with water and energy, are being amplified by climate change; and it requires maintenance of optimal balance between synergies and trade-offs generated in the food production processes. The nexus approach is an emerging concept being advanced to unravel the intricacies of these interconnections. This status paper provides an overview of the global research on different dimensions of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. An analysis of the current and projected WEF security situations in India and the assessment of agro-hydro-technologies and development policies, through which the food security is to be achieved, are reviewed. A suite of technology and policy refinements, required to meet the challenges arising due to multiple transitions, which impact the WEF security in India, are outlined.

Conceptions of Security in Global Environmental Discourses: Exploring the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus

ABSTRACT Given the crucial transformations environmental change brings to the structure of contemporary global politics and security, it is necessary to understand how emerging conceptions of environmental security (1) influence the architecture of global environmental governance and (2) reformulate security strategies to meet evolving socio-ecological challenges. This paper explores the water-energy-food (WEF) security nexus – an approach to sustainable development that advocates for innovative, cross-sector planning to overcome natural resource scarcities – as a distinct political domain in which actors utilise security language to describe environmental problems and policy prescriptions. Using content and discourse analysis to interpret WEF security nexus reports, I conclude that this particular policy debate represents a unique departure from other environment-security discourses in that economic productivity is the main referent object rather than countries, individuals, or ecosystems. This deviation, I argue, shifts authority over security away from state-centric institutions towards private sector organisations, resulting in technocratic responses to complex, structural, and unevenly distributed sources of human and environmental risk.

Severe Drought in Finland: Modeling Effects on Water Resources and Assessing Climate Change Impacts

Severe droughts cause substantial damage to different socio-economic sectors, and even Finland, which has abundant water resources, is not immune to their impacts. To assess the implications of a severe drought in Finland, we carried out a national scale drought impact analysis. Firstly, we simulated water levels and discharges during the severe drought of 1939–1942 (the reference drought) in present-day Finland with a hydrological model. Secondly, we estimated how climate change would alter droughts. Thirdly, we assessed the impact of drought on key water use sectors, with a focus on hydropower and water supply. The results indicate that the long-lasting reference drought caused the discharges to decrease at most by 80% compared to the average annual minimum discharges. The water levels generally fell to the lowest levels in the largest lakes in Central and South-Eastern Finland. Climate change scenarios project on average a small decrease in the lowest water levels during droughts. Severe drought would have a significant impact on water-related sectors, reducing water supply and hydropower production. In this way drought is a risk multiplier for the water–energy–food security nexus. We suggest that the resilience to droughts could be improved with region-specific drought management plans and by including droughts in existing regional preparedness exercises.

Discussion of “Challenges in operationalizing the water–energy–food nexus”

ABSTRACTIn their opinion paper, Liu et al. highlight the insufficient development of methods such as integrated modelling tools to assess the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus system complexity. This can be attributed to the lack of research programmes addressing the WEF nexus, especially in the European Union. To enable the development of innovative research methods, we need educational and research programmes that explicitly focus on the WEF security nexus. These programmes should promote interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate hydrology as well as sciences related to energy and food security, and environmental governance.

Assessment of the Successes and Failures of Decentralized Energy Solutions and Implications for the Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus: Case Studies from Developing Countries

Access to reliable and affordable energy is vital for sustainable development. In the off-grid areas of developing countries, decentralized energy solutions have received increasing attention due to their contributions to reducing poverty. However, most of the rural population in many developing countries still has little or no access to modern energy technologies. This paper assesses the factors that determine the successes and failures of decentralized energy solutions based on local harmonized case studies from heterogeneous contexts from Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and South America. The case studies were analyzed through the coupled lenses of energy transition and the Water–Energy–Food Security (WEF) Nexus. The findings indicate that access to modern decentralized energy solutions has not resulted in complete energy transitions due to various tradeoffs with the other domains of the WEF Nexus. On the other hand, the case studies point at the potential for improvements in food security, incomes, health, the empowerment of women, and resource conservation when synergies between decentralized energy solutions and other components of the WEF Nexus are present.

Managing the water–energy–food nexus: Gains and losses from new water development in Amu Darya River Basin

Summary According to the UN, the population of Central Asia will increase from its current approximately 65 million people to a well over 90 million by the end of this century. Taking this increasing population into consideration, it is impossible to project development strategies without considering three key factors in meeting the demands of a growing population: water, food and energy. Societies will have to choose, for instance, between using land and fertilizer for food production or for bio-based or renewable energy production, and between using fresh water for energy production or for irrigating crops. Thus water, food and energy are inextricably linked and must be considered together as a system. Recently, tensions among the Central Asian countries over the use of water for energy and energy production have increased with the building of Rogun Dam on the Vakhsh River, a tributary of the Amu Darya River. The dam will provide upstream Tajikistan with hydropower, while downstream countries fear it could negatively impact their irrigated agriculture. Despite recent peer reviewed literature on water resources management in Amu Darya Basin, none to date have addressed the interconnection and mutual impacts within water–energy–food systems in face of constructing the Rogun Dam. We examine two potential operation modes of the dam: Energy Mode (ensuring Tajikistan’s hydropower needs) and Irrigation Mode (ensuring water for agriculture downstream). Results show that the Energy Mode could ensure more than double Tajikistan’s energy capacity, but would reduce water availability during the growing season, resulting in an average 37% decline in agricultural benefits in downstream countries. The Irrigation Mode could bring a surplus in agricultural benefits to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in addition an increasing energy benefits in Tajikistan by two fold. However, energy production in the Irrigation Mode would be non-optimally distributed over the seasons resulting in the most of hydropower being produced during the growing season. Neither operation mode provides optimal benefits for all the countries, emphasizing how difficult it is to actually reach a win–win scenario across the water–energy–food security nexus in transboundary river basins.

Bioenergy, food security and poverty reduction: trade-offs and synergies along the water–energy–food security nexus

This article provides a review of trade-offs and synergies of bioenergy within the water–energy–food security nexus, with emphasis on developing countries. It explores the links of bioenergy with food security, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, health, and gender equity. It concludes that applying the nexus perspective to analyses of bioenergy widens the scope for achieving multiple-win outcomes along the above aspects.

The Water–energy–food Security Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities for Food Security in South Africa

The interconnectedness of water, energy and food production cycles translates into the interdependence of water, energy and food pricing. This paper interrogates the level of interconnectedness between these systems in South Africa and discusses how energy and water costs influence food prices in the country and affect the country's level of food security. The paper emphasizes that sustainable solutions to food security necessitate integrative thinking in the process of strategic planning for these resources.