408
T. Mabhaudhi et al.
to demonstrate the applicability of the WEF nexus at the local level, focusing on the
poor. The development of a WEF nexus model and indices is a pathway for unlocking
the value of existing Resources data indices to integration generate sustainability new
datasets.
Keywords Resources · Indices · Integration · Metrics · Models · Sustainability
1 Introduction
Sustainable resource management is a major worldwide governance concern as
the demand for natural resources has increased exponentially with population and
economic growth Sustainable resource management since the 1960s, when the Green
Revolution was ushered in. Human resource consumption is disproportionate to the
size of populations, with the wealthiest continents (North America and Europe)
consuming on average ten times as much as poor continents (Africa , West Asia, etc.)
(UNEP 2016), while the wealthy countries also contribute disproportionately to environmental pollution. International trade of natural resources contributes significantly
to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many developing countries, but is often
perceived to be a “curse,” because countries with an abundance of natural resources
also tend to suffer from poverty, inequality, conflict, and insecurity (Ross 1999).
An integrated approach to managing natural resources is required if the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) are to be realized by 2030.
Since 2011, the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has been investigated from many
points of view, each interest framing its analysis through the lens of its own economic,
political, social, or scientific perspective. The WEF nexus is broadly defined as a
framework that accounts for the interactions, synergies, and trade-offs among water,
energy, and food when managing these resources. Water, energy, and food securities are inextricably linked, with usage within one sector influencing the use and
availability of the others. Unlike Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM),
which is by definition water-centric, the WEF nexus approaches resource management holistically. Each resource sector within the nexus is considered equally important. The WEF nexus presents an opportunity for policymakers, researchers, and
development agencies to optimize resources, maximize synergies and trade-offs,
minimize ineffective redundancy of effort, and reduce conflicts among stakeholders
representing each resource.
The WEF nexus is closely aligned with the SDGs, particularly SDG 2 (zero
hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 7 (affordable and clean energy). Originally, the SDGs (the successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)) were
established as a response to world poverty, inequality, and insecurity, but they have
evolved into guiding principles for resource management. Developing countries,
including South Africa , are likely to benefit greatly from the integrated resource
management approach that the WEF nexus provides, particularly those countries
experiencing significant trade-offs among water, energy, and food. The WEF nexus
T. Mabhaudhi et al.
to demonstrate the applicability of the WEF nexus at the local level, focusing on the
poor. The development of a WEF nexus model and indices is a pathway for unlocking
the value of existing Resources data indices to integration generate sustainability new
datasets.
Keywords Resources · Indices · Integration · Metrics · Models · Sustainability
1 Introduction
Sustainable resource management is a major worldwide governance concern as
the demand for natural resources has increased exponentially with population and
economic growth Sustainable resource management since the 1960s, when the Green
Revolution was ushered in. Human resource consumption is disproportionate to the
size of populations, with the wealthiest continents (North America and Europe)
consuming on average ten times as much as poor continents (Africa , West Asia, etc.)
(UNEP 2016), while the wealthy countries also contribute disproportionately to environmental pollution. International trade of natural resources contributes significantly
to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many developing countries, but is often
perceived to be a “curse,” because countries with an abundance of natural resources
also tend to suffer from poverty, inequality, conflict, and insecurity (Ross 1999).
An integrated approach to managing natural resources is required if the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) are to be realized by 2030.
Since 2011, the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has been investigated from many
points of view, each interest framing its analysis through the lens of its own economic,
political, social, or scientific perspective. The WEF nexus is broadly defined as a
framework that accounts for the interactions, synergies, and trade-offs among water,
energy, and food when managing these resources. Water, energy, and food securities are inextricably linked, with usage within one sector influencing the use and
availability of the others. Unlike Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM),
which is by definition water-centric, the WEF nexus approaches resource management holistically. Each resource sector within the nexus is considered equally important. The WEF nexus presents an opportunity for policymakers, researchers, and
development agencies to optimize resources, maximize synergies and trade-offs,
minimize ineffective redundancy of effort, and reduce conflicts among stakeholders
representing each resource.
The WEF nexus is closely aligned with the SDGs, particularly SDG 2 (zero
hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 7 (affordable and clean energy). Originally, the SDGs (the successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)) were
established as a response to world poverty, inequality, and insecurity, but they have
evolved into guiding principles for resource management. Developing countries,
including South Africa , are likely to benefit greatly from the integrated resource
management approach that the WEF nexus provides, particularly those countries
experiencing significant trade-offs among water, energy, and food. The WEF nexus