Bridging the gap between the water-energy-food nexus and compound risks

Abstract

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a concept and approach to examine the interactions of water, energy, and food resources. Similarly, compound risks are a set of risk types that consider multiple connected factors that amplify risks. While both concepts are promoted as approaches to move beyond silos and address complex problems in environmental governance, there has been limited exploration of their overlap. Our study integrates these two approaches for more holistic assessment and management of resources in the context of climate risks. We examine the connections between the WEF nexus and compound risk in two ways. First, we review the literature to identify previous conceptual connections between the WEF nexus and compound risks. Second, we review seven case studies with WEF nexus interactions and compound risks to identify how the two approaches might be considered in practice. Our results demonstrate that there is limited, though not non-existent, integration of the two concepts in both the theoretical literature and in the case studies. The four of the seven cases that do show some level of connection in practice demonstrate opportunities for greater integration in the future, such as leveraging the water sector as a bridge to address WEF nexus and compound risk challenges together.

Water Energy Food Nexus in Urbanizing Wetlands: Challenges and Solutions Explored through Choremes and Focus Maps

“…The integration of Focus Maps into environmental management, particularly within the context of the WEF Nexus, is a pivotal advancement in understanding and addressing the complex interdependencies between natural and human systems. The concept of the WEF Nexus, which underscores the intricate connections between water, energy, and food systems, is crucial for sustainable development and requires a comprehensive and integrated management approach [6,7]. By converting complex data into an accessible format, these maps enable informed decision-making and facilitate a deeper understanding of the Nexus [8,9].…”

Water Energy Food Nexus in Urbanizing Wetlands: Challenges and Solutions Explored through Choremes and Focus Maps

“…The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus represents a concept to describe and address, to better understand and systematically analyze the interactions between the natural environment and human activities [1]. This concept, which underscores the intricate connections between water, energy, and food systems, is crucial for sustainable development and requires a comprehensive and integrated management approach [2,3]. Harwood (2018) called for a ''systems thinking" approach that can help effectively evaluate and implement actions in regard to the area pertaining to the WEF nexus [4].…”

“…The Tulcea WEF nexus, a case study of a mid-sized city in the Danube Delta (Tulcea, population size: 65.624; population density: 571 inhabitants per km 2 ; census, 2021), was explored in two prior studies [20,21]. The key finding pertinent to this study was that the WEF nexus showed less awareness among local residents in Tulcea than could be expected from rural development, as analyzed by scientists (for degradation of environment see, e.g., [22]).…”

“…By converting complex data into an accessible format, these maps enable informed decision-making and facilitate a deeper understanding of the nexus [39,40]. Wetlands play critical roles in water purification, flood control, and as sources of food and energy, yet they are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, requiring a comprehensive and integrated management approach [2,3]. Through these maps, the multifaceted impacts on wetlands, and by extension on the WEF nexus, are vividly portrayed, highlighting areas that require urgent attention and sustainable management [17,41].…”