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As representative of the water-energy-food nexus, fossil fuel development and industrial agriculture are rural industries that continue to expand and increasingly occur in the same areas. Being a top agricultural export county and the fossil fuel capital of California while ranking among the worst in the US for industrial pollution, Kern County is a poster child of rural nexus development and, thus, an essential place for initiating sustainability transitions. Such transitions rely on policy support and the adoption of methods by individuals and communities who may disagree with such changes. While sense of place and impact perceptions are recognized as playing critical roles in sustainability management, they have yet to be utilized in nexus research. A survey (N = 256) of the perceived impacts of nexus industries with place meaning and place attachment as possible drivers for perceptions was conducted in nexus industry pollution exposure risk zones. Factor analysis and bivariate correlations showed that place meaning and place attachment are drivers for perceptions while also being drivers for concern for changes in nexus industries. While perceptions of impacts indicated contested place meanings, participants strongly perceive the economy and environment as being in decline. To build support for sustainability policy, directing funds from Kern County's renewable energy industry to local sectors of society, implementation of regenerative agriculture, cooperative management, and nurturing place meaning as aligned with nature's restorative quality are important paths forward. These nexus management foci could strengthen place attachment, build trust in government, and repair environmental alienation.

Water, food, and energy are vital for individual well-being and national development. However, population growth and economic expansion have significantly increased the demand for these resources, while climate change has put pressure on their availability. To address these challenges, the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus framework highlights their interconnected nature, promoting systemic management approaches. System dynamics, a methodology designed to analyse complex and interrelated systems, is well-suited for modelling the WEF Nexus, capturing feedback loops and dynamic interactions. This study evaluates the use of system dynamics in WEF Nexus modelling and examines how economic systems, a key driver of resource demand, are represented in these models. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA framework. Of 280 articles initially identified, 237 remained after removing duplicates, with 36 relevant studies analysed. The results show a dominance of water-focused and balanced WEF models but limited representation of economic systems. Among 20 studies with economic representation, 17 treated the economy as an exogenous input to estimate demand, while only 3 integrated endogenous feedback linking resource availability to economic growth. These findings reveal a significant gap in current research and underscore the need for further studies to explore the dynamic interdependence between the economy and WEF resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The water-energy-food nexus is the foundation for the survival of societies and a vital element of culture. In this work, we examine how the nexus entered the public discourse and what its origins are for the area of Greece. Then, we present the common tools through which we study the dynamics of the nexus. We observe that while studies dealing with the nexus use averages and expected yields of production, introducing the stochastic dynamics of water into a 1000-year model results in many instances of failure. Analyzing the stochastic behavior of the water-energy-food nexus, we shed light on its dynamic nature and provide insights into potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for intervention. We infer that the operation of the nexus is not predictable and that broad cooperation is required, such as global trade which ensures the abundance of energy sources, (oil, fertilizers and energy sources for water pumping) in order to minimize potential failures which are observed over time.

Abstract The Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus is defined in modern societies through a complex interaction of trade, transportation of goods, energy generation technologies and many other parameters. However the dynamics of the WEF nexus are often ignored by technical and scientific communities. The systemic nature of the WEF nexus emphasizes the various interconnections between water, energy, and food, promoting the adoption of a holistic approach, in which the interlinkages highlight synergies and trade-offs and lead to more successful resource management. In contemporary times resources seem abundant as shortages are easily covered by trade and therefore land is often used without evaluating where it could be more productive and potential dangers to the stability of the WEF can be neglected. In this work, the dynamics of the WEF nexus are investigated, evaluating the efficiency of land in relation to the elements of the nexus. As a case study, we chose North Euboea, Greece, specifically focusing on the Municipality of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna. Although the WEF nexus has been increasingly studied, few works have particularly focused on how ecosystem changes disrupt the interlinkages between the nexus components. This study addresses this gap by focusing on the effects of biodiversity alterations (specifically wild boars) on the WEF nexus in a rural Mediterranean context. We explored land use patterns, energy needs, and water requirements for inhabitants, agriculture and livestock for food production, under several assumptions. It is found that if land was used solely for energy production, the energy generated would suffice for the energy consumption of 200,000 inhabitants. The potential of land use for food production on the other hand is corresponding to the food needs of 200,000–300,000 inhabitants. Lastly, as an investigation of the sensitivity of the WEF nexus to environmental stresses, we create a model for the potential impact from the expansion of the local wild-boar population that has been identified as an emerging stress for the local agricultural sector, with potential of diminishing local agricultural production within a few years.

Abstract The increasing pressure on resources and the persistent failure to address global malnutrition are evident challenges. A significant contributing factor is the decline in the quality of production resources, particularly water. As a result, many countries and their experts have prioritized the need to balance resource consumption. To address the research gap regarding balanced and optimal resource use, various methodologies have been developed over time, culminating in nexus studies. This study aimed to investigate the what, why, and how of conducting water-energy-food nexus (WEFN) studies. The research employed a sequential mixed-methods approach, integrating content analysis with the Analytical Network Process (ANP). The findings reveal that the objectives of WEFN studies encompass a wide range of interests, which can be systematically categorized into seven principal domains: system sustainability assessment, integration of planning and decision-making processes related to resource consumption, optimization of resource use, management of resource consumption systems, development of theoretical frameworks for the nexus, evaluation of the impacts of resource consumption, and assessment of associated risks. Notably, the results indicate that system sustainability assessment is the most critical reason for conducting WEFN studies. Furthermore, the analysis of WEFN methodologies identified simulation as the most effective technique within the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework. In the context of the ANP technique, statistical analysis and simulation emerged as the most important methods. This research advocates for using a diagram to facilitate the selection of the optimal method for conducting a WEFN study.

The water-energy-food nexus is the foundation for the survival of societies and a vital element of culture. In this work, we examine how the nexus entered the public discourse and what its origins are for the area of Greece. Then, we present the common tools through which we study the dynamics of the nexus. We observe that while studies dealing with the nexus use averages and expected yields of production, introducing the stochastic dynamics of water into a 1000-year model results in many instances of failure. Analyzing the stochastic behavior of the water-energy-food nexus, we shed light on its dynamic nature and provide insights into potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for intervention. We infer that the operation of the nexus is not predictable and that broad cooperation is required, such as global trade which ensures the abundance of energy sources, (oil, fertilizers and energy sources for water pumping) in order to minimize potential failures which are observed over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for more attention to the social and human dimensions in global change sciences and natural resources management requires in-depth understandings of transformative approaches and processes. More inclusive and systemic approaches are needed that embrace complexity and support transformative learning, shifts in power relations, collective and relational agency and structural transformations for adaptive and innovative governance. Scientific understanding of how such change can be brought about is still limited. In this paper, which sets the scene for this Special Issue, we develop a conceptual framework for analyzing transformative processes across a range of diverse cases. Aspects of the conceptual framework are applied, tested and elaborated in three following papers in the Special Issue, deepening understanding of how transformative change in complex social-ecological systems may originate at nexus boundary zones such as that portrayed by the water-food-energy nexus. Specifically, the paper conceptually elaborates four iteratively related dynamics of transformative learning, transforming power relations, transformative agency and transforming structures which intersect in transformation processes. The perspectives offer tools for cross case analysis in the longer term, but also tools for supporting co-engaged, generative research processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water and energy consumption characteristics of five crops (rice, corn, potato, rape and soybean) in Guizhou from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed using a water footprint and energy consumption accounting model based on relevant statistical data. Additionally, a multi-objective optimization model with constraints on water resources, energy, land, and food supply was developed to achieve optimal economic and ecological benefits, aiming to scientifically optimize the planting structure of five crops in Guizhou. The results showed: (1) there were significant differences in the water footprint and energy consumption per unit area of major crops in Guizhou during the period from 2010 to 2020. Specifically, rice, potato, soybean, corn, and rape were classified as extremely high water and energy-consuming crops, high water and energy-consuming crops, high water but medium energy-consuming crops, medium water and low energy-consuming crops, and low water and energy-consuming crops, respectively. (2) The water footprints of five crops were primarily dominated by green water consumption. Among them, rice, corn, and potato were the major contributors to the water footprint, accounting for 85% of the total. The energy consumption structure of five crops differed, with rice mainly consuming electricity, corn and potato mainly consuming chemical fertilizers, and rape and soybean primarily consuming fuel. Notably, rice and potato were the major contributors to the energy consumption, accounting for 69% of the total. (3) There were significant spatial variations in the crop planting structure in Guizhou due to differences in natural conditions. Specifically, rice was primarily distributed in the flat areas below 600m in altitude in southern Guizhou, corn was planted across the province but with varying qualities, potato was mainly cultivated in areas with altitudes ranging from 100 to 2900m, rape was primarily planted in central Guizhou, and soybean was cultivated in all regions with small differences in the proportion of each region. (4) After optimization, there was a slight decrease in the total planting area of five crops in Guizhou province. Notably, the planting area of rape and potato increased by 14000 and 146000ha respectively, resulting in their shares increasing by 0.6 and 1.6 percentage points, respectively. Conversely, the planting area of rice and corn decreased by 171000 and 386000ha, respectively, causing their shares to decrease by 0.3 and 1.5 percentage points, respectively. Following the optimization in Guizhou, there was a reduction in water footprint of 3.06 billion m³, a decrease in chemical fertilizer usage of 150 million tons, and a reduction in energy consumption of 2459000 GJ. Consequently, the ecological benefits have been significantly improved, while the economic benefits have remained stable. The optimized planting structure, based on the water-energy-food nexus, considers both economic and ecological benefits, exhibiting characteristics of low water consumption, low energy consumption, and low pollution. This further promotes the sustainable development of agriculture in Guizhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the options for closing the gap in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the remaining years of the 2015 to 2030 planning period, focusing on the issues in developing and least-developed countries. The deterring factors and their impact on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development implementation have been analyzed. The possibilities for prioritizing the SDGs and integrating the strategies and policies for their achievement in the context of the water-energy-food nexus (WEF Nexus) and Maslow's hierarchy of needs have been explored. The research contributes to the understanding of the impact of disincentives on the achievement of the SDGs. Emphasis is placed on poverty, and the main ways and means to overcome problems in this direction are outlined. Research insights into the effective and efficient implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, related to holistic thinking, system approach, modern tax policy, artificial intelligence (AI), and new technologies are provided. The research leads to an awareness of the need to improve international institutional activities to guarantee overcoming crises in the environmental, social, and health spectrum, peace, security, and achieving the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus is defined in modern societies through a complex interaction of trade, transportation of goods, energy generation technologies and many other parameters. However the dynamics of the WEF nexus are often ignored by technical and scientific communities. The systemic nature of the WEF nexus emphasizes the various interconnections between water, energy, and food, promoting the adoption of a holistic approach, in which the interlinkages highlight synergies and trade-offs and lead to more successful resource management. In contemporary times resources seem abundant as shortages are easily covered by trade and therefore land is often used without evaluating where it could be more productive and potential dangers to the stability of the WEF can be neglected. In this work, the dynamics of the WEF nexus are investigated, evaluating the efficiency of land in relation to the elements of the nexus. As a case study, we chose North Euboea, Greece, specifically focusing on the Municipality of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna. Although the WEF nexus has been increasingly studied, few works have particularly focused on how ecosystem changes disrupt the interlinkages between the nexus components. This study addresses this gap by focusing on the effects of biodiversity alterations (specifically wild boars) on the WEF nexus in a rural Mediterranean context. We explored land use patterns, energy needs, and water requirements for inhabitants, agriculture and livestock for food production, under several assumptions. It is found that if land was used solely for energy production, the energy generated would suffice for the energy consumption of 200,000 inhabitants. The potential of land use for food production on the other hand is corresponding to the food needs of 200,000–300,000 inhabitants. Lastly, as an investigation of the sensitivity of the WEF nexus to environmental stresses, we create a model for the potential impact from the expansion of the local wild-boar population that has been identified as an emerging stress for the local agricultural sector, with potential of diminishing local agricultural production within a few years. Highlights: Integrated management of water, energy, and food resources in rural areas. Biodiversity changes, like rising wild boar numbers, disrupt food production and threaten the water, energy, and food balance. Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass) can boost energy self-sufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is important for long-term national peace and stability. Land, water, and energy are essential resources that support food production. Conflicts among economic, social, and environmental objectives are inevitable in agricultural systems. On the basis of the concept of the water‒energy‒food (WEF) nexus, this study presents an interval multiobjective nonlinear optimization model to balance the conflicts of agricultural systems. This optimization model is then applied to Jiangsu Province to verify its applicability. Using the model, the optimal allocation of land, water, and energy and the corresponding system benefits under ten scenarios are obtained. The results show that wheat has the largest planting area when the decision is biased toward economic objectives. Planting more rice can improve the environment, and planting less rice can strengthen social fairness. The water and energy allocated to crops gradually decrease as decision-making preferences shift from the economy to society and the environment. The results also indicate that the comprehensive scores under scenario S4 (society → environment → economy) reached the ideal state among the seven multiobjective scenarios. Compared with the control year (2020), the optimal total land allocation in scenario S4 is reduced by 17.49%-17.84% to ensure food security. Notably, economic profits decrease by 6.68%-38.6%, social fairness significantly improves by 45.39%–55.62%, and total carbon emissions decrease by 8.88%–25.78%. This study can help decision-makers obtain a management scheme for maximizing comprehensive interests in the agricultural WEF nexus system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing pressure on resources and the persistent failure to address global malnutrition are evident challenges. A significant contributing factor is the decline in the quality of production resources, particularly water. As a result, many countries and their experts have prioritized the need to balance resource consumption. To address the research gap regarding balanced and optimal resource use, various methodologies have been developed over time, culminating in nexus studies. This study aimed to investigate the what, why, and how of conducting water-energy-food nexus (WEFN) studies. The research employed a sequential mixed-methods approach, integrating content analysis with the Analytical Network Process (ANP). The findings reveal that the objectives of WEFN studies encompass a wide range of interests, which can be systematically categorized into seven principal domains: system sustainability assessment, integration of planning and decision-making processes related to resource consumption, optimization of resource use, management of resource consumption systems, development of theoretical frameworks for the nexus, evaluation of the impacts of resource consumption, and assessment of associated risks. Notably, the results indicate that system sustainability assessment is the most critical reason for conducting WEFN studies. Furthermore, the analysis of WEFN methodologies identified simulation as the most effective technique within the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework. In the context of the ANP technique, statistical analysis and simulation emerged as the most important methods. This research advocates for using a diagram to facilitate the selection of the optimal method for conducting a WEFN study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental scholars have increasingly emphasized the role of the social sciences in addressing wicked resource nexus problems. Special attention is put on the role of policy and governance in dealing holistically with the conflicts, complexities, and uncertainties that emerge when managing resource-based sectors such as water, energy, and food. However, there is little knowledge about how this specific research area of social science-related wicked resource nexus research is characterized. Based on a bibliometric approach, we analyze (i) how the social sciences address different dimensions of wicked resource nexus problems, (ii) which specific topics this literature deals with, and (iii) how this literature is distributed over time and space. Overall, we find that the call of environmental scholars for holistic approaches has only partly been translated into the research practice. First, there is little integration in the identified dataset, going back to the dominance of individual keywords such as water or energy and only partly integrated clusters within and between dimensions. Second, there is a rather high dispersion of topics, which crystallizes among other things through a particularly high number of keywords mentioned less than five times. Third, while there is a starkly increasing diffusion of respective research over time, regional foci in Northern American and European research contexts rather persist. Based on these results, we provide potential avenues for future social science research in the field of wicked resource nexus problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multisectoral integration has been at the core of sustainability debates and is continuously rearticulated through different concepts. Following the 2007–2008 financial, food, and energy crises, a new concept, the water–energy–food nexus, gained prominence to identify trade-offs and synergies between water, energy, and food systems and guide the development of cross-sectoral policies. The nexus is essentially a systems-based perspective that explicitly recognizes these three systems as both interconnected and interdependent, and thus integrated approaches are required that move beyond sectoral, policy, and disciplinary silos. The nexus is also a political process, one in which the interplay of different types of power, as well as the actors wielding them, is not just a procedurally technical one. This tension between the nexus as a complex system and the nexus as a political process constitutes the core debating idea, in terms of feasibility, methods, and theory, in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid increase in population and economy, coupled with accelerated urbanization, is placing immense pressure on the water–energy–food (WEF) system. In this context, the water–energy–food nexus framework has emerged, recognizing the interdependencies and interactions among water, energy, and food systems, with the aim of optimizing resource management through cross-sectoral collaboration to promote sustainable development. Understanding the spatio-temporal differentiation patterns of the WEF nexus and elucidating the driving mechanisms behind changes in their coupling relationships is essential. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring the security of each subsystem and enhancing the overall sustainability of interconnected systems through coordinated efforts. To address these challenges, this study first established evaluation indicators for water, energy, and food security to quantify their levels and spatio-temporal dynamics. Subsequently, the degrees of coupling coordination within the WEF nexus were calculated. Finally, the WEF nexus's spatial correlations were analyzed by using a spatial autocorrelation model. Spatial econometric models then identified key factors affecting its coordination. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in water, energy, and food security across mainland China's provinces. From 2002 to 2022, water security improved substantially in 87% of the provinces, while energy security began to improve in the eastern regions following a phase of high consumption. Food security saw significant enhancements, particularly in Inner Mongolia and the northeastern provinces. The overall coupling coordination of the WEF nexus improved across 30 provinces, progressing toward primary coordination. However, Henan and Anhui provinces experienced fluctuations in WEF nexus coordination. Spatial correlation analysis showed upward trends and increased clustering in WEF nexus coordination. Factors such as economic development and population positively influenced coordination, while economic agglomeration, education, and effective irrigation area had negative effects. This study elucidates the complex interconnections and key influencing factors within the WEF nexus, providing a reference framework and practical recommendations for equitable resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The food and energy systems face mounting challenges due to increasing demands and sustainability constraints, which impact their ability to efficiently utilize natural resources, such as land and freshwater. Among these challenges, competition for land between large‐scale renewable energy production plants and agriculture poses a risk, especially for photovoltaics. Agrivoltaics offers an opportunity to synergistically use land for simultaneous production of energy and food. Recent studies have investigated the upscaling potential of agrivoltaics, moving from field scale analyses to larger‐scale suitability assessments. Yet, studies addressing the interaction between crop dynamics and local climatic factors, as well as explicitly investigating hydrological dynamics of agrivoltaics across crops and climates, are still limited. Here, we first superpose a spatial data set of existing photovoltaic farms with different land use/land cover maps to assess the magnitude of land use competition associated with photovoltaics. Then, we use a spatialized agro‐hydrological model to simulate the response to different levels of radiation attenuation of 22 non‐irrigated crops in their harvested areas across the globe. We find that 22%–35% of rainfed harvested areas globally would maintain their yields if converted to agrivoltaics, while 13%–16% of ground‐mounted photovoltaic plants globally are associated with a cropland to non‐cropland transition. While carrying the typical limitations and uncertainties of global studies, our results may offer novel possibilities for cross‐crop and cross‐location comparisons of agrivoltaic experiences, as well as a basis to have a deeper and cross‐scale understanding of the feasibility of photovoltaics.

The escalating demand for water, energy, and food, coupled with the imperative for sustainable development, necessitates innovative solutions to address the complex interdependencies within the water–energy–food nexus. In this context, agriculture and photovoltaics (Agri-PV or Agri–voltaics) systems have emerged as a promising approach to promoting sustainable agricultural practices while enhancing energy efficiency and food production. However, limited research, especially on the technical aspects of Agri-PV, has resulted in a knowledge gap regarding how to model and determine the suitability of Agri-PV for different crops based on local conditions. This study presents a novel approach to modeling and simulating Agri-PV systems for various major crops in developing countries, using Uzbekistan as a case study. It provides a blueprint for selecting suitable Agri-PV systems. The research investigates the technical feasibility of Agri-PV technology tailored to Uzbekistan's agricultural landscape, with broader implications for Central Asia. Employing a systematic methodology, the study begins by selecting appropriate sites and crops for Agri-PV system testing, ensuring the relevance and applicability of the research findings to the local context. Using advanced software tools such as PVSyst, the study accurately calculates photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) values specific to selected crops, bridging a significant knowledge gap and providing empirical data essential for informed decision making. The methodology further incorporates an in-depth analysis of economic and technical considerations in selecting PV modules and inverters, enhancing the scientific accuracy of the study. By strategically modeling Agri-PV systems based on parameters like row density, module distance, and tilt angle, this research aims to optimize the integration of photovoltaic technology with agricultural practices in Uzbekistan. Moreover, this study helps to understand the impact of Agri-PV systems on the water–energy–food nexus, providing valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges specific to the region. The study identifies the positive impact of Agri-PV on major crops and provides a suitable design and modeling approach for sustainable farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the advancement of Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling in addressing the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. As such, it introduces water resources as a production factor for both the energy sector and irrigated agriculture, as well as their competition for the endowment, aiming to explicitly represent additional components of the WEF with respect to a standard CGE in the literature. Thus, it develops different modelling structures by computing impacts on regional GDP, sectorial prices, and production outputs in response to hypothetical water scarcity scenarios. This analysis allows for the determination of the role of data and modelling assumptions, such as production function, water substitutability with other endowments, water mobility across sectors, and sectorial water intensity, in influencing the results. Finally, the paper develops a dynamic scenario analysis, showing that an enhanced representation of the Nexus can significantly affect the macroeconomic dynamics of the simulations and their regional implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research presents a novel approach that analyzes the water requirements for hydrogen production associated with a nationally adopted Green Hydrogen strategy. Green Hydrogen production is one of the most relevant technologies for massive renewable energy integration in transport systems, industries, or heating systems. European Union has launched a strategic roadmap for green hydrogen generation and integration in the energy chain. Spain aims to be one of the most important producers and exporters and has approved a Hydrogen Roadmap for next years, but no previous research has focused on the water requirements. This research finds that Spain's Green Hydrogen Roadmap, and a similar European one, is based on electrolyzers' peak capacity, and this causes a large uncertainty in real hydrogen production and associated water requirements. Spain represents a case study that can be a reference worldwide as it suffers from increasing droughts, has considerable tourist pressure, and is one of the most important producers of greens and fruits. This study proposes a methodology to quantify actual hydrogen production and associated water requirements and proves that current large-scale planning based on peak generation will produce a large uncertainty and could directly impact water supply security. One of the most relevant findings is that hydrogen production and water requirements must be included in these strategies to avoid future water supply tensions. An analysis of alternative water supply using desalinated water analyzes its feasibility and the effects on final cost. The outcomes are an example to be applied in similar scenarios worldwide and prove the need for an integrated energy-water-food strategy to deploy green hydrogen systems. [Display omitted] • There is considerable uncertainty on actual hydrogen production in Spain. • Water requirements could reach up to 45.25 hm3/year. • Spain suffers from a high-risk water index: hydrogen production must tackle it. • It is critical to include water supply in any hydrogen roadmap. • Nexus for hydrogen-water-food is analyzed, and a decision strategy is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, energy, and food (WEF) are critical resources to sustain urban development, which requires a sustainable structure of the urban WEF nexus to address trade-offs and achieve synergies. Although interactions in the WEF nexus are widely explored, its sustainable structure has largely been ignored. This study constructs a framework of WEF nexus sustainability factors. Based on a literature review and expert opinions, 21 factors influencing urban WEF nexus sustainability were extracted and their interrelationships determined. We used social network analysis (SNA) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) to analyze the structure of the urban WEF network. The results indicate that technological investment and industrial added-value energy consumption are the most critical and fundamental factors for promoting the sustainable development of the urban WEF nexus. Additionally, the balance of water supply and demand and the comprehensive management of waste pollutants are also driving and supporting factors for the sustainability of the urban WEF nexus. The results of this study complement the interaction mechanism research of the urban WEF nexus and provide practical references for sustainable decision-making in urban WEF nexus practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Water–energy–food (WEF) nexus governance provides a framework for integrating across resource systems. However, there has been limited examination of WEF nexus governance in practice and a need for comparison of different WEF nexus governance systems. Thus, this study seeks to understand the institutional structure of WEF nexus governance in practice to create cross-cutting themes of the structures that lend themselves towards integrated WEF nexus governance. We conducted an institutional analysis of a multi-case study using interviews and document analysis for three cities: Phoenix, Cape Town, and Singapore. Institutional analysis allows us to examine the multiple levels of governance between water, energy, and food actors in the cities. The results of our study show that WEF nexus governance is limited in practice, but still present. However, the specific structure of this WEF nexus governance is different for each individual city. We identify three cross-cutting themes for WEF nexus governance that may be helpful for nexus governance in practice: horizontal coordination within institutional levels, overcoming challenges of scalar fit for coordination across WEF nexus sectors, and the contribution of bottom-up participation for fully integrated WEF nexus governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of groundwater is contingent upon the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. In this context, the article aimed to analyze the state of the art in this field by using the Scopus database and the following keywords: “Sustainability”, “Nexus”, and “Groundwater”. The analysis was based on articles published over the last 79 years, from 1945 to August 2024. The results indicated that the production of articles on this topic started in 2008 and increased significantly from 2015 to 2023, with the USA having the highest number of publications. The publications encompass a multitude of disciplines, including environmental sciences, energy, engineering, social sciences, agricultural and biological sciences, earth and planetary sciences, business, management and accounting, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, chemical engineering, economics, econometrics, and finance. This demonstrates that the topic is inherently multidisciplinary, a conclusion supported by the variety of keywords identified. The keyword analysis yielded three clusters. The first area of focus is the nexus between climate change, agriculture (particularly crops and irrigation), energy, and sustainable water resources management. The second area of focus addresses the interrelationship between agriculture, ecosystems, food security, and the quality and availability of water resources. Moreover, the third area is related to hydrogeology and management of underground water resources. The identified gaps in the nexus include the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the nexus as a system, the absence of policy development to analyze synergies among all factors, the need for multi-sector integration, the dearth of socioeconomic impacts, the scarcity of local and specific data availability, and limited mention of the role of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things in integrated water resource management. The identified trends highlight the convergence of climate change, agriculture, and water resource management, emphasizing food security and ecosystem protection. Technologies are becoming more energy-intensive, increasing the interdependence between water and energy. Mathematical models and machine learning are employed to predict the quality and quantity of groundwater.

Access to reliable electricity remains a challenge for millions in remote African villages, including Lake Ziway’s islands in Ethiopia. This study introduces an integrated electricity system for Tulu Gudo Island, combining floating photovoltaics (FPV), pumped-hydro storage (PHS) and diesel generators (DGEs) to overcome energy constraints, land scarcity and sustainability issues. The study assesses electricity demand and solar-PHS potential using LiDAR-based digital elevation model (DEM) data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). PVsyst and HOMER Pro optimize the system based on net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE) and its ability to support a water-energy-food (W-E-F) nexus approach. An optimized configuration with 32.2 KWp FPV and two PHS units (PH: 245 KWh (508 KWh)) meets Tulu Gudo Island’s energy needs through a cycle charging strategy (CCs). This configuration offers economic and environmental sustainability, with an NPC of $154,265 and a COE of $0.140/KWh, while conserving 8760 m3 of water. It integrates successfully with the W-E-F nexus approach, achieving a 7% increase in electricity generation and a 2.4% higher capacity factor compared to conventional setups. The study validates results through comparisons with other simulation tools, ensuring accuracy. This hybrid electricity system has potential applicability in regions with similar conditions worldwide.

Understanding future demands of water, energy, and food (WEF) resources is essential to achieve sustainable management of these resources. Based on a survey of 90 households, this study provides an analysis of household water, energy, and food security for the city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, where there is a lack of any such assessment. Water supply is largely unimproved. Electricity supply is fairly reliable in some parts of the city, but not others. Most residents rely on charcoal burning for food preparation. Dietary Diversity Scores are low indicating stable, but low food security. Data collected were used to develop an integrated WEF system dynamics model that was applied to simulate household-level resource demand. To assess future resources demand, four scenarios developed by the Global Scenario Group were simulated. Findings reveal that the 'Great Transition' scenario exerts lower impact on resources demand, representing the most likely trajectory to achieve sustainable socio-economic development and management. However, achieving the conditions required for a ‘Great Transition’ could be challenging in Goma, which is characterised by low incomes, poor access to resources, and the threat of armed conflict. To achieve greater efficiency in resources utilisation and to prepare for the future, a number of recommendations are made, including energy supply diversification, altered agricultural practices to diversify diets, and expansion and improvement of water supply infrastructure. This work provides a basis for similar assessments in DRC and central Africa, highlighting the need for integrated resources management and assessment for regional opportunities toward sustainable development.