62
S. Liphadzi et al.
respectively [24]. Nexus planning connects these interactions by defining, measuring,
and modelling progress towards sustainability, through a set of indicators formulated
around resource utilisation, accessibility, and availability [56]. These developments
facilitate modelling, monitoring, and simulating some aspects of sustainability.
The conceptual framework (Fig. 11) is concerned with the creation of a food
system that uses resources efficiently and reduces food waste at every stage from
primary production to transformation and consumption. Nexus modelling develops
knowledge-based tools to assess vulnerability and resilience, as well as recovery
options and the potential of a food system. The tools facilitate the identification
of pathways for simultaneous food security and resource conservation through an
analysis of the food system activities and outcomes, integrating socio-ecological,
political, and economic factors summarised in socio-economic and global environmental change drivers (Fig. 11). This is based on the understanding that food systems
are socio-ecological systems comprising biophysical and social factors that are linked
through feedback mechanisms [11, 24, 47].
Identifying and modelling the fundamental and complex processes of a food
system through nexus planning ensures that food and nutritional outcomes are
preserved or enhanced over time and across generations. This is achieved by identifying priority areas for intervention in a timely manner, allowing decision- and
policy-makers to track progress in resources management and implement policies
that enhance positive transformations.
5 Recommendations and Conclusions
A concerted effort is required within and across WEF sectors to address the intensifying challenges of resource security in South Africa and southern Africa. There is a
growing body of promising innovations to address water, energy, and food insecurity
generated by the WRC. The WRC has highlighted several times that there is a slow
movement of the inter-connectivity between sector interventions and trade-offs for
resource management, and this needs to change if South Africa is to achieve targets
set in the National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals. The
development of a research agenda for informing WEF nexus research, development,
and innovation forms a key part of the WRC’s strategy to fund targeted interventions aimed at (i) increasing the evidence base, (ii) demonstrating the WEF nexus in
practice through pilot studies, and (iii) mainstreaming research outputs into national
policy.
This synthesis has traced the evolution of WEF nexus research and innovation in
South Africa and southern Africa, focusing on the results of the work that is funded
by the WRC. The work is motivated by the envisaged importance of the WEF nexus
in addressing national and regional priority challenges such as water, energy, and
food insecurity, increasing poverty and inequality, and increasing unemployment
and urbanisation. The WRC-funded WEF nexus research has produced some interesting innovations that are driving the nexus from a theoretical framework into a
S. Liphadzi et al.
respectively [24]. Nexus planning connects these interactions by defining, measuring,
and modelling progress towards sustainability, through a set of indicators formulated
around resource utilisation, accessibility, and availability [56]. These developments
facilitate modelling, monitoring, and simulating some aspects of sustainability.
The conceptual framework (Fig. 11) is concerned with the creation of a food
system that uses resources efficiently and reduces food waste at every stage from
primary production to transformation and consumption. Nexus modelling develops
knowledge-based tools to assess vulnerability and resilience, as well as recovery
options and the potential of a food system. The tools facilitate the identification
of pathways for simultaneous food security and resource conservation through an
analysis of the food system activities and outcomes, integrating socio-ecological,
political, and economic factors summarised in socio-economic and global environmental change drivers (Fig. 11). This is based on the understanding that food systems
are socio-ecological systems comprising biophysical and social factors that are linked
through feedback mechanisms [11, 24, 47].
Identifying and modelling the fundamental and complex processes of a food
system through nexus planning ensures that food and nutritional outcomes are
preserved or enhanced over time and across generations. This is achieved by identifying priority areas for intervention in a timely manner, allowing decision- and
policy-makers to track progress in resources management and implement policies
that enhance positive transformations.
5 Recommendations and Conclusions
A concerted effort is required within and across WEF sectors to address the intensifying challenges of resource security in South Africa and southern Africa. There is a
growing body of promising innovations to address water, energy, and food insecurity
generated by the WRC. The WRC has highlighted several times that there is a slow
movement of the inter-connectivity between sector interventions and trade-offs for
resource management, and this needs to change if South Africa is to achieve targets
set in the National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals. The
development of a research agenda for informing WEF nexus research, development,
and innovation forms a key part of the WRC’s strategy to fund targeted interventions aimed at (i) increasing the evidence base, (ii) demonstrating the WEF nexus in
practice through pilot studies, and (iii) mainstreaming research outputs into national
policy.
This synthesis has traced the evolution of WEF nexus research and innovation in
South Africa and southern Africa, focusing on the results of the work that is funded
by the WRC. The work is motivated by the envisaged importance of the WEF nexus
in addressing national and regional priority challenges such as water, energy, and
food insecurity, increasing poverty and inequality, and increasing unemployment
and urbanisation. The WRC-funded WEF nexus research has produced some interesting innovations that are driving the nexus from a theoretical framework into a