The Evolution of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus …
47
Fig. 5 Water innovations
developed under the three
WRC Key Strategic Areas
(KSAs) between 2017 and
2019
Water Resources and Ecosystems KSA, nine were from the Water Use and Wastewater Management, and seven were developed by the Water Use in Agriculture KSA
(Fig. 5).
In 2018/19, another thirty-four innovations have so far been recorded, of which
twelve are from the Water Resources and Ecosystems, twenty-one are from the Water
Use and Wastewater Management, and five are from the Water Use in Agriculture
(Fig. 5). More innovations were created or produced in 2018/19 than in the previous
year (2017/18), which is attributed to increased production of innovations in Water
Use and Wastewater KSA. This is significant as more innovations are expected by
the end of 2019. The most outstanding innovations include (a) the development of
an integrative WEF nexus model, (b) computing of water–energy–food nexus index,
(c) evaluating the state of the WEF nexus in South Africa, (d) framing desalination
within the water–energy–climate nexus, (e) a framework to operationalise the WEF
nexus through the theory of change, (f) a framework for improving rural livelihoods
through the WEF nexus, (g) developing guidelines for WEF nexus implementation
in southern Africa, and (h) COVID-19 and beyond, building resilience through nexus
planning and transformative approaches.
The fact that more innovations are now being produced by various KSAs is based
on the WRC’s focus, which now emphasises more on project demonstrations. This
forms part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution theme championed by the South
African government. The WRC is complementing this theme through its research
and development agenda.
Figure 6 shows a graphical presentation of innovations developed under various
Specialised Research Areas (SRAs). SRAs are programmes or thrusts under the key
strategic research areas. While most of the innovations were developed in the Aquatic
Ecosystems Health, and Biodiversity SRAs in 2017/18, a remarkable number of innovations were created in specialised research areas on Water Quality and Economic
Uses of water (all with >4 innovations).
In 2018/19, more innovations were created under the sanitation specialised
research area than in the previous year. The sanitation research area produced more
innovations in 2018/19 than any other SRA (Fig. 6). No innovation was reported for
new specialised research areas (Water Governance and Water Uses and Community
Initiatives). Innovations are a result of research collaboration among teams who work
47
Fig. 5 Water innovations
developed under the three
WRC Key Strategic Areas
(KSAs) between 2017 and
2019
Water Resources and Ecosystems KSA, nine were from the Water Use and Wastewater Management, and seven were developed by the Water Use in Agriculture KSA
(Fig. 5).
In 2018/19, another thirty-four innovations have so far been recorded, of which
twelve are from the Water Resources and Ecosystems, twenty-one are from the Water
Use and Wastewater Management, and five are from the Water Use in Agriculture
(Fig. 5). More innovations were created or produced in 2018/19 than in the previous
year (2017/18), which is attributed to increased production of innovations in Water
Use and Wastewater KSA. This is significant as more innovations are expected by
the end of 2019. The most outstanding innovations include (a) the development of
an integrative WEF nexus model, (b) computing of water–energy–food nexus index,
(c) evaluating the state of the WEF nexus in South Africa, (d) framing desalination
within the water–energy–climate nexus, (e) a framework to operationalise the WEF
nexus through the theory of change, (f) a framework for improving rural livelihoods
through the WEF nexus, (g) developing guidelines for WEF nexus implementation
in southern Africa, and (h) COVID-19 and beyond, building resilience through nexus
planning and transformative approaches.
The fact that more innovations are now being produced by various KSAs is based
on the WRC’s focus, which now emphasises more on project demonstrations. This
forms part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution theme championed by the South
African government. The WRC is complementing this theme through its research
and development agenda.
Figure 6 shows a graphical presentation of innovations developed under various
Specialised Research Areas (SRAs). SRAs are programmes or thrusts under the key
strategic research areas. While most of the innovations were developed in the Aquatic
Ecosystems Health, and Biodiversity SRAs in 2017/18, a remarkable number of innovations were created in specialised research areas on Water Quality and Economic
Uses of water (all with >4 innovations).
In 2018/19, more innovations were created under the sanitation specialised
research area than in the previous year. The sanitation research area produced more
innovations in 2018/19 than any other SRA (Fig. 6). No innovation was reported for
new specialised research areas (Water Governance and Water Uses and Community
Initiatives). Innovations are a result of research collaboration among teams who work