56
S. Liphadzi et al.
other indicators. This is evidenced by the contraction experienced in the other indicators, a situation that gave the irregular shape of the graphs (Fig. 10). The resulting
phenomenon is that when food security and water productivity were improving,
the other indicators were contracting (Fig. 10), an indication of sectoral resource
management and reactive measures in case of disasters, which often result in
unsustainability.
Without compromising the food security indicators, as well as the progress
achieved in water productivity, the country has to allocate resources to those indicators that seem to be stable as instability will manifest in the short term [56]. One
indicator of a sustainable and balanced economy is when the centrepiece or the
spider graph becomes circular. On the other hand, when the shape of the spider
graph is irregular it indicates an unsustainable economy and unequal distribution of
resources. In a WEF nexus environment, all sectors are considered equal and should
be developed in an integrated manner.
The better performance in water productivity in 2018 is understood to have
resulted from the measures that were taken during and after the drought that occurred
in the 2015/16 rainy season [54]. The same applies to energy productivity that
improved in the same period, possibly as a result of the measures implemented
during the energy crisis of 2017. However, the same sectoral measures resulted in
low energy accessibility as compared to 2015 (decreased by 1.3% between 2015
and 2018). Therefore, “the good performance” in food self-sufficiency and water
and energy productivity mainly resulted from the measures that were undertaken
after a crisis, but the same measures just transferred challenges to the other sectors
which later performed poorly during the same period. Without informed WEF nexus
interventions, achieving sustainability will prove difficult. Reactive and uniformed
interventions normally compromise adaptation and resilience-building initiatives.
As already alluded to, sustainable resource management requires that all indicators attain the highest index of the “best” performing indicator, without compromising other indicators, resulting in a circular shape of the spider graph. By contrast,
the current sectoral approach will continue to create an imbalance in the economy
and retard development, consequently slowing progress towards achieving the 2030
agenda [55]. Balanced resource management may suggest that resources are being
managed holistically to achieve sustainability but can still be classified as unsustainable if the indices remain at low values. An assessment of the changes in SDGs
implementation taking place over time provides evidence to research and decisionmakers on integrating strategies aimed at operationalising the WEF nexus in order to
manage resources holistically from a nexus perspective. Cross-sectoral approaches
in resource management usually translate to cost savings compared to the replication
of developmental projects by competing sectors [50].
The spider graph discloses the strengths and weaknesses of a country and at the
same pointing the priority areas that need interventions. These capabilities have made
the WEF nexus a valuable adaptation and decision support tool for assessing progress
towards national and international goals like the NDP and SDGs. Interventional
scenarios are then developed to inform policy- and decision-making on pathways
to achieve sustainability. Thus, the WEF nexus has been recognised as an important
S. Liphadzi et al.
other indicators. This is evidenced by the contraction experienced in the other indicators, a situation that gave the irregular shape of the graphs (Fig. 10). The resulting
phenomenon is that when food security and water productivity were improving,
the other indicators were contracting (Fig. 10), an indication of sectoral resource
management and reactive measures in case of disasters, which often result in
unsustainability.
Without compromising the food security indicators, as well as the progress
achieved in water productivity, the country has to allocate resources to those indicators that seem to be stable as instability will manifest in the short term [56]. One
indicator of a sustainable and balanced economy is when the centrepiece or the
spider graph becomes circular. On the other hand, when the shape of the spider
graph is irregular it indicates an unsustainable economy and unequal distribution of
resources. In a WEF nexus environment, all sectors are considered equal and should
be developed in an integrated manner.
The better performance in water productivity in 2018 is understood to have
resulted from the measures that were taken during and after the drought that occurred
in the 2015/16 rainy season [54]. The same applies to energy productivity that
improved in the same period, possibly as a result of the measures implemented
during the energy crisis of 2017. However, the same sectoral measures resulted in
low energy accessibility as compared to 2015 (decreased by 1.3% between 2015
and 2018). Therefore, “the good performance” in food self-sufficiency and water
and energy productivity mainly resulted from the measures that were undertaken
after a crisis, but the same measures just transferred challenges to the other sectors
which later performed poorly during the same period. Without informed WEF nexus
interventions, achieving sustainability will prove difficult. Reactive and uniformed
interventions normally compromise adaptation and resilience-building initiatives.
As already alluded to, sustainable resource management requires that all indicators attain the highest index of the “best” performing indicator, without compromising other indicators, resulting in a circular shape of the spider graph. By contrast,
the current sectoral approach will continue to create an imbalance in the economy
and retard development, consequently slowing progress towards achieving the 2030
agenda [55]. Balanced resource management may suggest that resources are being
managed holistically to achieve sustainability but can still be classified as unsustainable if the indices remain at low values. An assessment of the changes in SDGs
implementation taking place over time provides evidence to research and decisionmakers on integrating strategies aimed at operationalising the WEF nexus in order to
manage resources holistically from a nexus perspective. Cross-sectoral approaches
in resource management usually translate to cost savings compared to the replication
of developmental projects by competing sectors [50].
The spider graph discloses the strengths and weaknesses of a country and at the
same pointing the priority areas that need interventions. These capabilities have made
the WEF nexus a valuable adaptation and decision support tool for assessing progress
towards national and international goals like the NDP and SDGs. Interventional
scenarios are then developed to inform policy- and decision-making on pathways
to achieve sustainability. Thus, the WEF nexus has been recognised as an important