How does the Food-Energy-Water Nexus Framework becomes successful?


With the understanding that limited resources are at the core of the survival of Earth, the discussion surrounding a sustainable development has turned its focus towards the notion of food, water and energy nexus. Such approach allows a more effective utilization of natural reserves through cross-sectoral integration.

However, cross-sectoral integration will not allow a successful nexus implementation without the foresight of other variables.


The correct valorisation and management of existing natural ecosystems will avoid that the interdependency of natural resources would impact the necessary outcomes to local communities resulting from the food, water and energy nexus framework.

Considering the continuously fast growing world population and hence the increasingly strong demand for natural resources, it is essential to understand the interconnectivity of ecosystems, which provide and most of all ensure future provisions of water, thus food and energy.


Moreover, spatial coordination must lead towards the direction of integrated policy making at all scales, local, regional or national, in order to create a fair and equal system of opportunities to all impacted communities through the use of integrated policies, for example by utilizing economies of scale or maximizing synergies in the framework.


Lastly, it is important to remember that "communities are the custodians of vital resources and their actions have important implications" (Rasul 2014), therefore, Indigenous knowledge and their understanding of the nexuses implications resulting from their local resources must be cultivated and educated with the goal to onboard these people into the causes and effects which their presence in such vital ecosystems presents for adjacent regions and populations. 

This interconnected comprehension and appreciation is important to be incentivized in the policy making at all scales in order to create a systematically sustainable approach to such fundamental resources.


References:

Rasul, G. ‘Food, water, and energy security in South Asia: A nexus perspective from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region’, Environmental Science & Policy 39 2014, pp.35–48.  

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