36
S. Liphadzi et al.
Keywords Adaptation · Resilience · Sustainable development · Nexus planning ·
Water scarcity · Transformative approaches
1 Introduction
The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has gained prominence in recent years mainly
due to its capability to integrate the management and governance of the three interlinked sectors of food, energy, and water [60, 65]. It is a step beyond sectoral
approaches to resource planning, transitioning towards a more holistic and integrated resource management [13]. Despite its envisaged importance as a decision
support tool in natural resources management, its adoption and operationalisation
into a policy framework had been hindered by lack of empirical models capable of
assessing resources holistically, recognising all sectors as being influenced by every
other sector [38]. However, recent developments have shown progress in transitioning
the WEF nexus from a conceptual space, and facilitating discourse, into an analytical
decision support tool [56]. The transition to using the WEF nexus as an analytical tool
opens the doors to knowledge synthesis for informing policy- and decision-making,
as well as making it operational. The recently developed WEF nexus integrative
model addresses pertinent issues around sustainability that include:
(a) understanding the complex interdependence between components within a
system in space and time, focusing on the efficiency of the whole system
and not only the productivity of individual sectors,
(b) recognising the essence of cross-sectoral planning and utilisation of resources
in promoting a balanced and inclusive dialogue and decision-making processes,
(c) formulating cross-sectoral policy solutions that promote mutually beneficial responses that enhance cooperation among sectors, and public–private
partnership at multiple scales, and
(d) providing a model for out and up-scaling interventions [56]. These are envisaged to contribute to the sustainability and eventual security of water, energy,
and food resources, through evidence-based policy objectives that allow a
sustainable and healthy ecosystem [13].
Recorded published work on the three-way mutual interlinkages among the WEF
sectors only started in 2008 [29] and has since grown into a topical subject in sustainability circles. The approach further gained prominence at the Bonn 2011 World
Economic Forum where it was introduced as an approach for achieving and managing
sustainable development, and ensuring resource security [31]. To date, nexus planning, in general, has become a mantra in sustainability circles as the approach has been
recognised as an important tool that unpacks the intricate interdependencies among
interlinked sectors [44, 56]. It has grown to be an integral part of initiatives that aim
to achieve several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG
1 (poverty eradication), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 6 (provision of water and sanitation), and SDG 7 (access to affordable and reliable energy) (Fig. 1). The linkages
with SDGs have transformed the WEF nexus into an important tool for assessing
S. Liphadzi et al.
Keywords Adaptation · Resilience · Sustainable development · Nexus planning ·
Water scarcity · Transformative approaches
1 Introduction
The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has gained prominence in recent years mainly
due to its capability to integrate the management and governance of the three interlinked sectors of food, energy, and water [60, 65]. It is a step beyond sectoral
approaches to resource planning, transitioning towards a more holistic and integrated resource management [13]. Despite its envisaged importance as a decision
support tool in natural resources management, its adoption and operationalisation
into a policy framework had been hindered by lack of empirical models capable of
assessing resources holistically, recognising all sectors as being influenced by every
other sector [38]. However, recent developments have shown progress in transitioning
the WEF nexus from a conceptual space, and facilitating discourse, into an analytical
decision support tool [56]. The transition to using the WEF nexus as an analytical tool
opens the doors to knowledge synthesis for informing policy- and decision-making,
as well as making it operational. The recently developed WEF nexus integrative
model addresses pertinent issues around sustainability that include:
(a) understanding the complex interdependence between components within a
system in space and time, focusing on the efficiency of the whole system
and not only the productivity of individual sectors,
(b) recognising the essence of cross-sectoral planning and utilisation of resources
in promoting a balanced and inclusive dialogue and decision-making processes,
(c) formulating cross-sectoral policy solutions that promote mutually beneficial responses that enhance cooperation among sectors, and public–private
partnership at multiple scales, and
(d) providing a model for out and up-scaling interventions [56]. These are envisaged to contribute to the sustainability and eventual security of water, energy,
and food resources, through evidence-based policy objectives that allow a
sustainable and healthy ecosystem [13].
Recorded published work on the three-way mutual interlinkages among the WEF
sectors only started in 2008 [29] and has since grown into a topical subject in sustainability circles. The approach further gained prominence at the Bonn 2011 World
Economic Forum where it was introduced as an approach for achieving and managing
sustainable development, and ensuring resource security [31]. To date, nexus planning, in general, has become a mantra in sustainability circles as the approach has been
recognised as an important tool that unpacks the intricate interdependencies among
interlinked sectors [44, 56]. It has grown to be an integral part of initiatives that aim
to achieve several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG
1 (poverty eradication), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 6 (provision of water and sanitation), and SDG 7 (access to affordable and reliable energy) (Fig. 1). The linkages
with SDGs have transformed the WEF nexus into an important tool for assessing