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In defining a new governance framework for the future of the food–energy–water
nexus, it will be important to consider how to restructure the nexus toward four
objectives: (1) increased efficiency in the production and use of water and energy;
(2) a shift toward energy independence and diversification of sources of energy; (3)
increased efficiency in the production, distribution, and consumption of food; and
(4) reduced nutrient losses and other agricultural runoff, which currently cause algal
blooms and loss of water quality downstream from agricultural fields. Even in the
case of abundant water resources, these considerations pose considerable challenges
for transboundary governance of food–energy–water resources. Building institutional capacity for transboundary governance that is inclusive, equitable, and wellcoordinated is likely to be more effective in the context of abundant water resources
such as these three large watersheds.
Key Points
• Watersheds are a critical scale at which to examine the nexus of food, energy, and
water systems, and depending upon the scale and type of watershed, the intersection of these systems pose an array of challenges for governance of natural
resources.
• The interdependence of these systems is often revealed in watersheds or catchment areas where land use, population growth, and increasing demand for food,
energy, and water exert pressure on watershed ecosystem services that can lead
to environmental degradation and the depletion of natural capital.
• The challenges associated with resource access rights, designated land uses,
and protection of ecosystem services become more difficult when watersheds
share multiple jurisdictional borders and different systems of governance and
protection.
• Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary scientific approaches in
research as well as synthesis and integration of cross-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary perspectives for effective cross-border watershed governance.
• An examination of the food–energy–water nexus through three case studies of
watersheds reveals that the capacity for cross-border watershed governance varies widely across economic, social, cultural, and political contexts.
• Emerging challenges call for a new framework for transboundary governance of
the food–energy–water nexus in watersheds that are characterized by
abundance.
• Building institutional capacity for transboundary governance that is inclusive,
equitable, and well-coordinated is likely to be more effective in the context of
abundant water resources such as these three large watersheds.
Discussion Points and Exercises
1. Describe how watersheds are a critical scale at which to examine the nexus of
food, energy, and water systems. How does the intersection of these systems
pose an array of challenges for governance of natural resources, particularly
where transboundary waters require high levels of institutional capacity and
coordination for effective governance?
19 Watersheds at the Nexus
In defining a new governance framework for the future of the food–energy–water
nexus, it will be important to consider how to restructure the nexus toward four
objectives: (1) increased efficiency in the production and use of water and energy;
(2) a shift toward energy independence and diversification of sources of energy; (3)
increased efficiency in the production, distribution, and consumption of food; and
(4) reduced nutrient losses and other agricultural runoff, which currently cause algal
blooms and loss of water quality downstream from agricultural fields. Even in the
case of abundant water resources, these considerations pose considerable challenges
for transboundary governance of food–energy–water resources. Building institutional capacity for transboundary governance that is inclusive, equitable, and wellcoordinated is likely to be more effective in the context of abundant water resources
such as these three large watersheds.
Key Points
• Watersheds are a critical scale at which to examine the nexus of food, energy, and
water systems, and depending upon the scale and type of watershed, the intersection of these systems pose an array of challenges for governance of natural
resources.
• The interdependence of these systems is often revealed in watersheds or catchment areas where land use, population growth, and increasing demand for food,
energy, and water exert pressure on watershed ecosystem services that can lead
to environmental degradation and the depletion of natural capital.
• The challenges associated with resource access rights, designated land uses,
and protection of ecosystem services become more difficult when watersheds
share multiple jurisdictional borders and different systems of governance and
protection.
• Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary scientific approaches in
research as well as synthesis and integration of cross-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary perspectives for effective cross-border watershed governance.
• An examination of the food–energy–water nexus through three case studies of
watersheds reveals that the capacity for cross-border watershed governance varies widely across economic, social, cultural, and political contexts.
• Emerging challenges call for a new framework for transboundary governance of
the food–energy–water nexus in watersheds that are characterized by
abundance.
• Building institutional capacity for transboundary governance that is inclusive,
equitable, and well-coordinated is likely to be more effective in the context of
abundant water resources such as these three large watersheds.
Discussion Points and Exercises
1. Describe how watersheds are a critical scale at which to examine the nexus of
food, energy, and water systems. How does the intersection of these systems
pose an array of challenges for governance of natural resources, particularly
where transboundary waters require high levels of institutional capacity and
coordination for effective governance?
19 Watersheds at the Nexus