In recent years, the application of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus approach, which aims at sustainable development, natural resource management and mitigation and adaptation measures for a low-carbon economy, has increased significantly (Huelsmann and Jampani, 2021). The dynamics of the nexus approach, particularly its role in supporting system integration, have received particular attention in this context (Estoque, 2023). Existing literature (Bassel & Mohtar, 2015; Fuerst et al., 2017) emphasises the close relationship between the nexus typology and demand assessment, considering socio-technical and political dynamics across sectors. However, the dynamic nature of this relationship poses a challenge to the monitoring and modelling of ecosystem components used within the nexus approach. 

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash 

As the complexity of Nexus tools increases, capturing all possible links between the different nexus components becomes a rather difficult task, as Laspidou et al. (2020) emphasise. On the other side, it is argued that strengthening the aspect of integrated planning within the Nexus approach plays a central role in overcoming complexities and challenges. This requires a comprehensive understanding and facilitation of the nexus typology, taking into account factors such as the importance of spatial and temporal scale (Urbinatti et al., 2020), the adoption of data-driven decision-making (Giest & Mukherjeeb, 2022) and the dynamics of stakeholder engagement (Hoolohan et al., 2018). 

At the same time, while the adoption of the Nexus approach in policy deliberations has gained momentum, there is a lack of direct attempt in policy-making to formulate specific policy objectives and instruments for the implementation of the Nexus approach at local and regional levels (UNESCO & European Union, 2021). While the nexus literature aims to achieve policy coherence by identifying synergies and trade-offs, optimising policy options and adapting governance arrangements, it falls short when it comes to explaining the presence of barriers, their influences and implementable solutions. According to Weitz et al. (2017), these differences break the link between the underlying logic of the nexus and the governance processes it is intended to influence. 

In response, the literature emphasises methodological innovation as a key aspect of addressing gaps in the integration of the Nexus approach into policy design. This involves addressing coordination problems and assessing the conditions and performance of coordination methods in solving the problem in specific locations (Urbinatti et al., 2020; Pahl Wostl et al., 2020; Srigiri & Dombrowsky, 2022). A combination of approaches that examine social networks as well as institutions, actors and resource characteristics can complement each other to gain a holistic understanding of how a specific WEFE Nexus governance situation is organised and functions, generally using transdisciplinary approaches. 

This exacerbates the challenges of assessing the impact of procedural policy instruments and national development plans, which crucially rely on the consolidation of knowledge and data on the sectors associated with the nexus (Giest & Mukherjeeb, 2022). Based on the above, future research on key challenges in the governance of the WEFE nexus may include: 

• Traditional governance structures often operate in sectoral silos, leading to uncoordinated decision-making and missed opportunities for synergies. 
• Obstructive processes result from limited data sharing and coordination, even though effective governance requires access to comprehensive and up-to-date data from multiple sectors. 
• Competing priorities and trade-offs between different stakeholders resulting from the lack of governance of conflicting interests in water, energy, food and ecosystems. 
• Insufficient involvement of stakeholders, including local communities, industries and environmental groups. 
• Unbalanced policy and regulation. 
• Uncertainty and complexity of climate change affecting water availability, energy production and food security. 
• Limited capacity for integrated planning, as many regions lack the technical and institutional capacity for holistic approaches and understanding of ecosystems. 
• Financing and investment challenges due to lack of cross-sectoral collaboration, which financing mechanisms may not adequately support. 
• Gaps in policy implementation. 
• Other policy and institutional barriers.  

Research on the governance and policy design of the WEFE Nexus is a promising area that lays the foundation for creating sustainable, resilient and equitable systems that address the complex challenges arising from the interconnectedness of water, energy, food and ecosystems.  

Keywords: WEFE nexus, governance, policy design, ecosystems, sustainable development 

References 

Bassel T. Daher & R.H. Mohtar (2015). Water–energy–food (WEF) Nexus Tool 2.0: guiding integrative resource planning and decision-making. Water International, 40:5-6, pp. 748-771, DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2015.1074148. 

Estoque, R. (2023). Complexity and diversity of nexuses: A review of the nexus approach in the sustainability context. Science of The Total Environment, vol. 854, 158612, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158612. 

Fürst, Chr.; S. Luque & D. Geneletti (2017). Nexus thinking – how ecosystem services can contribute to enhancing the cross-scale and cross-sectoral coherence between land use, spatial planning and policy-making. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 13:1, pp. 412-421, DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2017.1396257. 

Giest, Sh. & I. Mukherjee (2022). Evidence integration for coherent nexus policy design: a Mediterranean perspective on managing water-energy interactions. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 24:5, pp. 553-567, DOI: 10.1080/1523908X.2022.2049221. 

Hoolohan, C.; A. Larkin; C. McLachlan; R. Falconer; I. Soutar; J. Suckling; L. Varga; I. Haltas; A. Druckman; D. Lumbroso; M. Scott; D. Gilmour; R. Ledbetter; S. McGrane; C. Mitchell & D. Yu (2018). Engaging stakeholders in research to address water–energy–food (WEF) nexus challenges. Sustainability Science, 13, pp. 1415–1426, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0552-7. 

Hülsmann, St. & M. Jampani (2021). A Nexus Approach for Sustainable Development 

Integrated Resources Management in Resilient Cities and Multifunctional Land-use Systems. Springer Cham, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57530-4. 

Laspidou, Chr.S.; N.K. Mellios; A.E. Spyropoulou; D.Th. Kofinas, M.P. Papadopoulou (2020). Systems thinking on the resource nexus: Modeling and visualisation tools to identify critical interlinkages for resilient and sustainable societies and institutions. Science of The Total Environment, 717, 137264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137264. 

Pahl-Wostl, Cl.; Ph. Gorris; N. Jager; L. Koch; L. Lebel; Chr. Stein; S. Venghaus & S. Withanachchi (2020). Scale-related governance challenges in the water–energy–food nexus: toward a diagnostic approach. Sustainability Science, 16, pp. 615-629,  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-020-00888-6. 

Srigiri, S.R. & I. Dombrowsky (2022). Analysing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus from a Polycentric Governance Perspective: Conceptual and Methodological Framework. Frontiers Environmental Science, 10, 725116, doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.725116. 

UNESCO & European Commission (2021). Implementing the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems Nexus and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. IWA Publishing, 190 pages.  

Urbinatti, A.M.; M.D. Fontana; A. Stirling & L.L. Giatti (2020). ‘Opening up’ the governance of water-energy-food nexus: Towards a science-policy-society interface based on hybridity and humility. Science of The Total Environment, 744, 140945, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140945. 

Weitz, N.; Cl. Strambo; E. Kemp-Benedict & M. Nilsson (2017). Closing the governance gaps in the water-energy-food nexus: Insights from integrative governance. Global Environmental Change, 45, pp. 165-173, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2017.06.006.