Applying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to the Charcoal Value Chain

Abstract

Globally, natural resources are increasingly under pressure, especially due to population growth, economic growth and transformation as well as climate change. As a result, the water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus approach has emerged to understand interdependencies and commonly manage resources within a multi-scale and multi-level framework. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the high and growing consumption of traditional biomass for cooking purposes -notably fuelwood and charcoal-is both a key source of energy and contributor for food security as well as a pressure on natural resources. Improving the bioenergy value chains is essential for limiting environmental degradation and for securing the livelihoods of millions of people. Although the WEF nexus approach entails large potential to address the complex problems arising along the bioenergy value chains, these are currently not considered. Based on the WEF nexus approach, we analyze the different steps within the charcoal value chain in Sub-Saharan Africa and highlight the respective interdependencies and the potential for improving overall socio-economic and environmental sustainability. We emphasize the water, energy and food related implications of vicious and virtuous production cycles, separated by value chain segments. We discuss the potential and major challenges for implementing more sustainable value chains. Furthermore, we underline the necessity of applying WEF nexus approaches to these value chains in order to optimize environmental and social outcomes.

Food-energy-water security in sub-Saharan Africa: Quantitative and spatial assessments using an indicator-based approach

“…To explain the interdependencies in a simple form: food can be used to produce energy, energy is needed to produce food, water is needed to grow food, while food transports (virtual) water, often using energy; water is often needed to generate energy, energy is needed to supply water, particularly to areas far away from the water source. Changes to any one of food, energy or water can affect the remaining two across a range of scales (Hoffmann et al, 2017). Previous empirical studies have used this interlinked FEW idea to reveal how interventions, such as river basin management and climate adaptation in the water sector, cross-cut energy, water and food policy issues, including advancing the utility of FEW as a tool for addressing wider socio-ecological and economic concerns (Keskinen et al, 2015;Momblanch et al, 2019).…”

Analysis of the Water–energy–food Nexus and Its Contribution to Energy Development

“…This cluster shows the outstanding involvement of the foodenergy-water (FEW) nexus in biomass relations, sustainability, and its optimisation in these concepts. The information shows the importance of sustainability in the nexus with the framework of socio-economic and environmental activities [41]. In addition, life cycle assessment (LCA) strengthens environmental impact analyses, considering the FEW nexus in energy crop production [42].…”

Risk management and decision-making in relation to sustainable development

“…The population that is food insecure also intersects significantly with those relying heavily on traditional biomass such that poor and vulnerable populations often expend considerable time (gathering fuel) or use a significant share of household income for low-quality energy services (Fuso Nerini et al 2017;McCollum et al 2018;Rao and Pachauri 2017;Pachauri et al 2018;Muller and Yan 2018;Takama et al 2012). Improvements in energy access and reduction or elimination of traditional biomass use thus have benefits across multiple SDGs (medium evidence, high agreement) (Masera et al 2015;Rao and Pachauri 2017;Pachauri et al 2018;Hoffmann et al 2017;Jeuland et al 2015;Takama et al 2012;Gitau et al 2019;Quinn et al 2018;Ruiz-Mercado and Masera 2015b;Duguma et al 2014b;Sola et al 2016b). Improved energy access contributes to adaptive capacity, although charcoal production itself can also serve as a diversification or adaptation strategy (Perera et al 2015;Ochieng et al 2014;Sumiya 2016;Suckall et al 2015;Jones et al 2016b).…”