The Evolution of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus …
37
Fig. 1 Relating the WEF nexus and SDGs
progress towards the 2030 Global Agenda on Sustainable Development [56]. The
linkages between the WEF nexus and the related SDGs facilitate the evaluation of
country performance in SDGs implementation. Thus, nexus planning has become an
important decision support tool to advance the cause of the SDGs. It has become a
pathway to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable socio-ecological outcomes [10].
The essence of both the WEF nexus and the SDGs includes the following common
principles:
a. the promotion and guidance of sustainable and efficient use of resources,
b. the access and equal distribution of resources to all, and
c. the sustainable conservation of the natural resource base.
These WEF attributes have transformed the WEF nexus into an indispensable tool
to assess SDGs implementation over time, and at the same time establishing quantitative relationships among complex but interlinked sectors [56]. The main advantage
of nexus planning in resource management is its capability to assess the implementation of SDGs and to analyse trade-offs and synergies between indicators [46]. This
is relevant in solving today’s challenges that are also interlinked, multilateral, and
multidisciplinary, requiring polycentric and transformative approaches to provide
informed strategies. Monocentric approaches have the tendency of exacerbating
existing challenges [44].
In South Africa, the Water Research Commission (WRC) has been spearheading
the WEF nexus research through its WEF Nexus Lighthouse, a flagship research,
development, and innovation programme aimed at promoting integrated planning,
utilisation, and management of resources for sustainable development [39]. To date,
over 30 projects across its Key Strategic Areas (KSAs) have been funded by the
WRC, and results have been providing local solutions, but with a global impact.
Of note, the WRC-funded research, through its partners, has defined WEF nexus
indicators, developed a WEF nexus analytical model, and has applied the theory of
37
Fig. 1 Relating the WEF nexus and SDGs
progress towards the 2030 Global Agenda on Sustainable Development [56]. The
linkages between the WEF nexus and the related SDGs facilitate the evaluation of
country performance in SDGs implementation. Thus, nexus planning has become an
important decision support tool to advance the cause of the SDGs. It has become a
pathway to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable socio-ecological outcomes [10].
The essence of both the WEF nexus and the SDGs includes the following common
principles:
a. the promotion and guidance of sustainable and efficient use of resources,
b. the access and equal distribution of resources to all, and
c. the sustainable conservation of the natural resource base.
These WEF attributes have transformed the WEF nexus into an indispensable tool
to assess SDGs implementation over time, and at the same time establishing quantitative relationships among complex but interlinked sectors [56]. The main advantage
of nexus planning in resource management is its capability to assess the implementation of SDGs and to analyse trade-offs and synergies between indicators [46]. This
is relevant in solving today’s challenges that are also interlinked, multilateral, and
multidisciplinary, requiring polycentric and transformative approaches to provide
informed strategies. Monocentric approaches have the tendency of exacerbating
existing challenges [44].
In South Africa, the Water Research Commission (WRC) has been spearheading
the WEF nexus research through its WEF Nexus Lighthouse, a flagship research,
development, and innovation programme aimed at promoting integrated planning,
utilisation, and management of resources for sustainable development [39]. To date,
over 30 projects across its Key Strategic Areas (KSAs) have been funded by the
WRC, and results have been providing local solutions, but with a global impact.
Of note, the WRC-funded research, through its partners, has defined WEF nexus
indicators, developed a WEF nexus analytical model, and has applied the theory of