An integrative analytical model for the water-energy-food nexus: South Africa case study

Nhamo, Luxon; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Mpandeli, Sylvester; Dickens, Chris; Nhemachena, Charles; Senzanje, Aidan; Naidoo, Dhesigen; Liphadzi, Stanley; Modi, Albert T.

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2020.04.010

Cited by 116 publications

(145 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, the concept has evolved into an important and transformative approach in sustainability circles, and a search of the term on search engines today yields a vast publication profile. The WEF nexus is increasingly being recognised as a transformative approach that increases resources use efficiencies and informs coherent strategies for sustainable natural resources management [10,13]. When applied as a conceptual tool, the WEF nexus provides a framework for understanding the complex interrelations, synergies and trade-offs among water, energy and food [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When applied as a conceptual tool, the WEF nexus provides a framework for understanding the complex interrelations, synergies and trade-offs among water, energy and food [14]. The WEF nexus, when applied as an analytical tool, has evolved into a vital cog in assessing progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and wellbeing), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action) [10,15]. In the current study, we adopt the WEF nexus as an analytical tool for assessing progress towards achieving sustainable livelihoods at a local scale.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Current sector-based approaches to development and service delivery in South Africa has an influence at lower administrative scales, where each sector pursues its own strategies and policies [10]. Given this background, the management of the three sectors in Sakhisizwe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, also falls under sector specific institutions, with sector-driven mandates as is derived from the national government setting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We therefore applied the WEF nexus integrated analytical model [10] to understand and quantify the interrelatedness among WEF sectors and develop adaptation strategies for sustainable livelihoods at local level in Sakhisizwe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Further to this, we also developed a contextualised municipal nexus framework to inform policy and decision-making at a local level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level

et al. 2020

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level

et al. 2020

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A public policy primer on consolidating the water‐energy nexus

D’Souza

2020

World Water Policy

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The purpose of this paper was to study advancing the water‐energy nexus in the context of urban metabolism and to extend past literature reviews to capture water and energy integration policy. The use of water for energy generation and energy for water treatment are a couple of examples of this nexus that have been well‐documented over the years. This paper answers operational and policy questions related to integration while comparing nexus efforts in two countries at the forefront of this discussion: the United States and Australia. Barriers to successful integration include gaps in data collection and lack of a consensus model for integration advancement. The study found that jurisdictions can take advantage of opportunities to consolidate the nexus by adopting new technologies that create efficient and cost‐effective ways for delivering a sustainable output by changing the way inputs are utilized. They could also develop a tracking system to measure the results of their efforts and evaluate if targeted outcomes are being achieved.

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Revisiting the global weights of the integrated watershed health assessment framework and Weyib watershed health analysis: Ethiopia's policy prospects

Aredo,

Lohani,

Mohammed

2024

World Water Policy

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Watershed health study has been considered as a global issue embodied in the United Nations' 2030 agenda toward sustainable water resources development, paving the way for integrated water resources management (IWRM) application, and visualizing intervention techniques to comprehend existing challenges. The watershed faces tremendous pressure due to erratic rainfall patterns, drastic water demand increase, hydrological extremes, and natural‐anthropogenic activities. This study aims to re‐evaluate the recently developed Integrated Watershed Health Assessment Framework (IWHF) global weights, Weyib watershed health assessment, and Ethiopia's policy implications using the integration of numerous data and multiple tools. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to estimate aggregate results from experts' survey responses, which depicted 50.89% priority for ecological conditions, followed by economic 23.30%, policy 13.82%, and 12% for socio‐cultural attributes. A slight discrepancy was exhibited when global weights were re‐evaluated, and the variables with substantial effects on IWHF in developing countries like Ethiopia were integrated. The majority of Weyib watershed health index (WWHI) indicators unveiled promising results except for stakeholders' collaboration and social obligation to restoration activities, information and educational campaigns, hydrology, wetland, and natural land‐cover. The water‐quality parameters laboratory findings were depicted as suitable for irrigation purposes. In general, the WWHI was in good health status, and a medium‐level priority was required for intervention activities to address deteriorated variables. Moreover, enhancing IWRM's application will contribute to tackling bottlenecks such as boost community awareness and stakeholder collaboration, legal and administrative gaps, overlapped mandates, and unpermitted water use resulting in undermining downstream demands and environmental low‐flow.

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An integrative analytical model for the water-energy-food nexus: South Africa case study

Cited by 116 publications

References 65 publications

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level

A public policy primer on consolidating the water‐energy nexus

Revisiting the global weights of the integrated watershed health assessment framework and Weyib watershed health analysis: Ethiopia's policy prospects

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