18 Developing a Framework for the Water-Energy …
413
Africa, as is Africathe incorporation of innovation in the WEF nexus to supplement
advances achieved by just rebalancing among WEF trade-offs, which in itself would
be insufficient. Innovation is necessary to ensure resource security, and access to
water, energy, and food for all people.
3 Results and Discussion
A wide range of international initiatives exist to analyze the close relationships among
the WEF components. The WEF nexus has gained prominence as an approach to
consider solutions to global challenges in part because it can be used as an analytical
tool, a conceptual framework, and as a basis of discussion and debate (Keskinen
et al. 2016). As an analytical tool, the WEF nexus systematically and quantitatively
reveals the interactions among WEF resources; as a conceptual framework, it is
a pathway to understand WEF linkages, promote coherence in policymaking, and
enhance sustainability , and as a discussion platform it is a tool for problem-framing
and the promotion of cross-sectoral collaboration (Albrecht et al. 2018). For these
reasons, the WEF nexus contributes substantively to understanding the complex and
dynamic interlinkages among issues related to the security of water, energy, and food.
3.1 Applicability of Other Existing Frameworks to the WEF
Nexus in South Africa
Based on the methodological criteria, five existing frameworks were identified as
most applicable and were evaluated.
(a) Smajgl et al. 2016
The study by Smajgl et al. (2016) presents a cross-sectoral, balanced, and dynamic
WEF nexus framework where sectoral objectives are given equal weight, revealing
the emergences and/or changes in cross-sectoral connections as a result of single
sector interventions. The dynamic WEF nexus framework describes interactions
between (a) the three sectors and (b) the nexus core and the three sectors (Fig. 3).
The nexus core in this framework consists of the major drivers of the water, energy,
and food sectors, as well as cross-sector factors.
This framework, however, limits consideration of the interacting variables in the
nexus core as it looks at only climate change and population growth as the main
drivers of ecosystem services. The framework also displays how sectoral outcomes
provide feedback and control core drivers, thereby creating sustained interactions.
Three distinct entry points are depicted in the framework, introducing sector-specific
interests. This conceptualization coordinates across sectors, to avoid unintended
trade-offs and consequences. The framework requires that stakeholders account for
sectoral interdependencies.
413
Africa, as is Africathe incorporation of innovation in the WEF nexus to supplement
advances achieved by just rebalancing among WEF trade-offs, which in itself would
be insufficient. Innovation is necessary to ensure resource security, and access to
water, energy, and food for all people.
3 Results and Discussion
A wide range of international initiatives exist to analyze the close relationships among
the WEF components. The WEF nexus has gained prominence as an approach to
consider solutions to global challenges in part because it can be used as an analytical
tool, a conceptual framework, and as a basis of discussion and debate (Keskinen
et al. 2016). As an analytical tool, the WEF nexus systematically and quantitatively
reveals the interactions among WEF resources; as a conceptual framework, it is
a pathway to understand WEF linkages, promote coherence in policymaking, and
enhance sustainability , and as a discussion platform it is a tool for problem-framing
and the promotion of cross-sectoral collaboration (Albrecht et al. 2018). For these
reasons, the WEF nexus contributes substantively to understanding the complex and
dynamic interlinkages among issues related to the security of water, energy, and food.
3.1 Applicability of Other Existing Frameworks to the WEF
Nexus in South Africa
Based on the methodological criteria, five existing frameworks were identified as
most applicable and were evaluated.
(a) Smajgl et al. 2016
The study by Smajgl et al. (2016) presents a cross-sectoral, balanced, and dynamic
WEF nexus framework where sectoral objectives are given equal weight, revealing
the emergences and/or changes in cross-sectoral connections as a result of single
sector interventions. The dynamic WEF nexus framework describes interactions
between (a) the three sectors and (b) the nexus core and the three sectors (Fig. 3).
The nexus core in this framework consists of the major drivers of the water, energy,
and food sectors, as well as cross-sector factors.
This framework, however, limits consideration of the interacting variables in the
nexus core as it looks at only climate change and population growth as the main
drivers of ecosystem services. The framework also displays how sectoral outcomes
provide feedback and control core drivers, thereby creating sustained interactions.
Three distinct entry points are depicted in the framework, introducing sector-specific
interests. This conceptualization coordinates across sectors, to avoid unintended
trade-offs and consequences. The framework requires that stakeholders account for
sectoral interdependencies.