The Evolution of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus …
49
nexus into a decision support tool that provides real-world solutions and demonstrates
what the approach says it can do. Thus, the gap that remained to be filled was the development of WEF nexus evaluation tools and models capable of assessing synergies
and trade-offs in an integrated manner, and capable of eliminating “silos” in resource
management, and averting conflicts, minimising investment risks, and maximising
on economic returns [32, 38]. The absence of empirical evidence attracted its criticism due to lack of clarity and practical applicability [15]. Some critics had gone
further by branding the approach as a repackaging of the IWRM [7]. Some research
went further to depict the approach as an ambitious and ambiguous programme that
will never achieve its intended goals [89].
Buoyed by the challenges of transforming the WEF nexus into a practical and
evidence-based operational framework, the WRC has since moved into supporting
research that aims to develop WEF nexus analytical models and pathways to operationalise the approach from its present state of being mainly theory. This was motivated by national needs such as ensuring simultaneous water, energy, and food security, job, and wealth creation, and expands the irrigated land in an era of water and
energy scarcity [69]. The WRC, through its partners, has since defined WEF nexus
sustainability indicators and developed an integrative model to assess composite
indices to facilitate WEF resources performance, monitoring, and evaluation through
a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process [56]. As the model is based on
indicators, the WEF nexus has thus become an important tool for monitoring the
performance of SDGs, particularly SDGs 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 7 (affordable and clean energy), as also suggested by other studies [75].
The WRC has driven the WEF nexus research agenda and has so far developed a
South African-based WEF nexus framework, developed considering pertinent issues
facing the country (Fig. 7) [39]. Figure 7 indicates that an acceptable state of human
livelihood, well-being, and environmental sustainability is achievable when there are
right policies, strategies, as well as alternative clean, renewable options that are in
place.
Fig. 7 WEF nexus framework for South Africa to attain simultaneous water, energy, and food
security with particular emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6, and 7
49
nexus into a decision support tool that provides real-world solutions and demonstrates
what the approach says it can do. Thus, the gap that remained to be filled was the development of WEF nexus evaluation tools and models capable of assessing synergies
and trade-offs in an integrated manner, and capable of eliminating “silos” in resource
management, and averting conflicts, minimising investment risks, and maximising
on economic returns [32, 38]. The absence of empirical evidence attracted its criticism due to lack of clarity and practical applicability [15]. Some critics had gone
further by branding the approach as a repackaging of the IWRM [7]. Some research
went further to depict the approach as an ambitious and ambiguous programme that
will never achieve its intended goals [89].
Buoyed by the challenges of transforming the WEF nexus into a practical and
evidence-based operational framework, the WRC has since moved into supporting
research that aims to develop WEF nexus analytical models and pathways to operationalise the approach from its present state of being mainly theory. This was motivated by national needs such as ensuring simultaneous water, energy, and food security, job, and wealth creation, and expands the irrigated land in an era of water and
energy scarcity [69]. The WRC, through its partners, has since defined WEF nexus
sustainability indicators and developed an integrative model to assess composite
indices to facilitate WEF resources performance, monitoring, and evaluation through
a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process [56]. As the model is based on
indicators, the WEF nexus has thus become an important tool for monitoring the
performance of SDGs, particularly SDGs 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 7 (affordable and clean energy), as also suggested by other studies [75].
The WRC has driven the WEF nexus research agenda and has so far developed a
South African-based WEF nexus framework, developed considering pertinent issues
facing the country (Fig. 7) [39]. Figure 7 indicates that an acceptable state of human
livelihood, well-being, and environmental sustainability is achievable when there are
right policies, strategies, as well as alternative clean, renewable options that are in
place.
Fig. 7 WEF nexus framework for South Africa to attain simultaneous water, energy, and food
security with particular emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6, and 7