Abstract: Water scarcity, as one of the top three risks to livelihoods, continues to dominate the global development agenda. Research is faced with the task of developing water knowledge and innovation solutions to support policy and decision-making on formulating coherent strategies that drive sustainable socio-economic development. In South Africa, the Water Research Commission (WRC) and […]

This report provides insights into the types of direct, site-based interventions that can help or hinder the achievement of development outcomes for local people and, ultimately, the delivery of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the SDGs. Focusing specifically on poorer (low- and lower-middle-income) countries, it explores documented evidence that ‘nature-based interventions’ or ‘investments in nature’ […]

Abstract: Food system demands have increased exponentially in recent decades and are estimated to continue growing as global populations increase and economic affluence expands. However, the very foundation of a productive system – healthy lands and soils and clean water supply – is already under immense pressure. In fact, by the most credible estimates, up […]

Abstract The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus facilitates understanding of the intricate and dynamic interlinkages among the three resources. Its implementation can enhance resource securities and sustainable development. Despite its potential, full adoption of the approach has been hindered by a lack of actionable strategies to guide its practical application. This is attributed to (i) poor data […]

Abstract Water, energy, food, land, and climate form a tightly connected nexus in which actions on one sector impact other sectors, creating feedbacks and unanticipated consequences. This is especially because, at present, much scientific research and many policies are constrained to single discipline/sector silos that are often not interacting (e.g., water-related research/policy). However, experimenting with […]

Abstract Worldwide, off-grid solar photovoltaic irrigation is currently being developed with the expectation that it will help secure water access to increase food production, reduce fuel-based carbon emissions and energy costs, and increase human resilience to climate change. In developing countries across the Middle East and North Africa, South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, the adoption of […]

This report presents the main findings of the Nexus assessment study for Sudan. It identified Water-Energy-Food Nexus priority issues in Sudan, suggested operational guidance to align national strategies, policies, and implementation plans within a national Nexus framework identified opportunities to apply the Nexus approach, including institutional settings and capacity building needs, and suggested a series […]

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Abstract: Water is the key limiting factor in socioeconomic and ecological development, but it is adversely affected by climate change. The novel virtual water (VW) concept and water, energy, food, biodiversity, and human health (WEFBH) nexus approach are powerful tools to assess the sustainability of a region through the lens of climate change. Climate change-related […]