The Evolution of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus …
59
where rural communities continue lacking basic services and amenities such as
safe water and sanitation, clean energy, and balanced and nutritious diets [21,
30]. Disparities in resources distribution between rural and urban communities,
as well as the insecurities of water, energy, and food, require a cross-sectoral
approach in resource management, development, and utilisation like the water–
energy–food (WEF) nexus, which facilitates inclusive and equitable development as well as coordinated resource planning and management [60]. The implementation of the WEF nexus analytical framework creates synergies and ensures
that trade-offs are avoided, and at the same time eliminating the duplication of
activities, which is often common in a sectoral approach to resource development [60]. The current sectoral approach only exacerbates the vulnerabilities of
mostly rural people who lack resources to adapt to change [28]. The transformation of rural livelihoods and the sustainability of adaptation strategies are hinged
on the understanding of the role of the WEF nexus in framing effective policies and institutions to ensure sustainable livelihood transformation. Adopting
the nexus approach at the regional level enhances transboundary cooperation
strategies, regional integration, and poverty alleviation [51].
3. Assessing performance and progress of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs): As progress on SDGs is assessed through quantifiable indicators that
keep track of the measurable targets, the WEF nexus analytical framework
becomes a “fitting approach” for monitoring and evaluating the progress towards
the 2030 Agenda of the SDGs. The WEF nexus analytical framework assesses,
monitors, and tracks resource utilisation and performance over time using the
same SDGs indicators. As a cross-sectoral approach, the WEF nexus integrates
indicators across sectors and elucidates how best resources can be allocated
between competing needs, thus making the implementation of SDGs more efficient and cost-effective. The WEF nexus approach is, thus, an approach for
understanding the complex and dynamic interlinkages between the issues related
to the securities of water, energy, and food, making it directly linked to SDGs 2,
6, and 7, as well as for guiding the interactions between the natural environment
and the biosphere [10, 25, 51, 60].
4. Project appraisal: The WEF nexus analytical framework is a systematic
approach that integrates water, energy, and food in project planning and appraisal
at all levels and is essential in preventing trade-offs, as well as helping to enhance
the development potential. Thus, the WEF nexus is essential in project design
and evaluation, especially for complex projects that involve various expertises
and are transboundary or transnational in nature. The WEF nexus analytical
framework project leaders and funders to quantify the linkages among WEF
nexus components identify critical links and leverage the results to improve
project design and implementation [77]. An analysis of nexus interactions at the
planning and design stage assists funders to understand the long-term impact of
investments across different sectors and users [85]. The approach permits not
only the identification of possible trade-offs, such as the risk of the unsustainability of some crucial project aspects but also synergies, whereby investment in
59
where rural communities continue lacking basic services and amenities such as
safe water and sanitation, clean energy, and balanced and nutritious diets [21,
30]. Disparities in resources distribution between rural and urban communities,
as well as the insecurities of water, energy, and food, require a cross-sectoral
approach in resource management, development, and utilisation like the water–
energy–food (WEF) nexus, which facilitates inclusive and equitable development as well as coordinated resource planning and management [60]. The implementation of the WEF nexus analytical framework creates synergies and ensures
that trade-offs are avoided, and at the same time eliminating the duplication of
activities, which is often common in a sectoral approach to resource development [60]. The current sectoral approach only exacerbates the vulnerabilities of
mostly rural people who lack resources to adapt to change [28]. The transformation of rural livelihoods and the sustainability of adaptation strategies are hinged
on the understanding of the role of the WEF nexus in framing effective policies and institutions to ensure sustainable livelihood transformation. Adopting
the nexus approach at the regional level enhances transboundary cooperation
strategies, regional integration, and poverty alleviation [51].
3. Assessing performance and progress of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs): As progress on SDGs is assessed through quantifiable indicators that
keep track of the measurable targets, the WEF nexus analytical framework
becomes a “fitting approach” for monitoring and evaluating the progress towards
the 2030 Agenda of the SDGs. The WEF nexus analytical framework assesses,
monitors, and tracks resource utilisation and performance over time using the
same SDGs indicators. As a cross-sectoral approach, the WEF nexus integrates
indicators across sectors and elucidates how best resources can be allocated
between competing needs, thus making the implementation of SDGs more efficient and cost-effective. The WEF nexus approach is, thus, an approach for
understanding the complex and dynamic interlinkages between the issues related
to the securities of water, energy, and food, making it directly linked to SDGs 2,
6, and 7, as well as for guiding the interactions between the natural environment
and the biosphere [10, 25, 51, 60].
4. Project appraisal: The WEF nexus analytical framework is a systematic
approach that integrates water, energy, and food in project planning and appraisal
at all levels and is essential in preventing trade-offs, as well as helping to enhance
the development potential. Thus, the WEF nexus is essential in project design
and evaluation, especially for complex projects that involve various expertises
and are transboundary or transnational in nature. The WEF nexus analytical
framework project leaders and funders to quantify the linkages among WEF
nexus components identify critical links and leverage the results to improve
project design and implementation [77]. An analysis of nexus interactions at the
planning and design stage assists funders to understand the long-term impact of
investments across different sectors and users [85]. The approach permits not
only the identification of possible trade-offs, such as the risk of the unsustainability of some crucial project aspects but also synergies, whereby investment in