Nexus Approach in the Context of Global Sustainable Development

 


Nexus approach represents a concept and action methodology based on the understanding of connections, synergies and trade-offs in order to avoid falling into intellectual or applicational silos. The advantage is that it allows a more interconnected and solution oriented proposal of operationalisation tailored to support resource managers and policy makers in tackling a strictly interconnected and wicked problem such as the one presented by environmental changes. 
This is achieved through "higher resource use efficiency, lower production of pollutants and wastes, and more coherent policy". The final benefits of the system's outcome include as well the detection of potential unexpected consequences and harmful trade-offs coming from the interlinkages of the parties (Liu 2018).

However, demanding such an advanced level of integration requires that the analyst be an expert in all the relevant fields, therefore increasing the costs of the study. 
It should also be considered that the research on nexus approach is until now still at its early development and considers usually only two sectors, such as water and energy. There is a need for increasing publications into more elaborated nexuses both in sectoral and regional terms in order to identify the potential implications that changes in certain locations or categories might have on others (Liu 2018). 
Moreover, the research into the quantification of nexuses presents still inconsistencies in the nature of the calculations as well as lack of tools to evaluate them at different spatial scales or vice versa appropriate metrics to extrapolate harmonized global insights in order to appropriately address SDGs (Liu 2018).

Nonetheless, nexus approach would allow a more cross-sectional implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) considering that they are interconnected to the respective nexuses' sectors. "As nexus frameworks can make direct or indirect relationships with and between SDGs clear, they can enable integrated SDG implementation as requested in the Agenda 2030." (Liu 2018)
Furthermore, the nexus approach can be conceptually applied in the same manner to the planetary boundaries approach in order to promote a analogous cross-sectional framework for decision making and policy drafting to tackle climate change.

The recent elaboration of Earth system law presents a future opportunity in the international legislation progression towards the concept of planetary nexus governance which would ultimately support the implementation of integrated environmental law (Kotzé  2022). 
This would facilitate as well the adoption and application of Sustainable Development Goals at national and regional level as an integrated cross-sectional legislative platform.


References:

Rockström, et al, (2009), Planetary Boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity, Ecology and society 14(2) 

Louis J. Kotzé and Rakhyun, (2022), Towards planetary nexus governance in the Anthropocene: An earth system law perspective, Global Policy 13(S3)

Cadman, T., Hurlbert, M., Simonelli, A. (Eds). Forthcoming, (2021), Earth system law: Standing of the precipice of the Anthropocene. Routledge, Abingdon.

Liu, J., et al., (2018), Nexus approaches to sustainable development, Nature Sustainability 1(9)

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