food-energy-water nexus introduction

INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

An introduction to the concept of the

Food-Energy-Water

Security Nexus

Stefan Meyer

November 4, 2014

Sunbird Capital Hotel, Lilongwe


Introduction

Scarcity of food, energy and water worldwide

Inter-linkages between the three sectors

Food-Energy-Water Security (FEW) Nexus –

Opportunities and Challanges resulting from

inter-linkages

Formulating the concept of FEW Nexus


Overview

I. Concept of the FEW Nexus

II. Definition of the FEW Nexus

III. Nexus interventions

IV.Challenges applying the Nexus approach

V. The nexus in Malawi – An example

VI.Conclusions


Concept of the FEW Nexus I


Concept of the FEW Nexus II

Drivers

Endogenous Exogenous

Direct Direct Indirect

e.g. Good

governance in natural

resource

management

e.g. Rainfall e.g. Exchange rate

• Drivers affecting the system of food, energy and

water are both outcome and effect.

• Direct vs. indirect drivers

• Endogenous vs. Exogenous drivers


Concept of the FEW Nexus III

Time horizon: Short-term or medium-term

impacts

Multidimensionality: Macro (global,

regional and national) as well as micro

(household and individual) level


Definition of the FEW Nexus

The FEW nexus encompasses synergies and trade-offs between food, energy, and water security which are impacted by endogenous and exogenous drivers and cannot be captured if these sectors are analyzed in isolation.


Nexus interventions

Definition of a nexus intervention:

The intervention must impact food, energy, and water security, of which at least one impact must be direct.

Interventions often affect endogenous

drivers (e.g. price and availability) which

have a direct effect


Nexus interventions - examples

Percentage on histogram indicates

saving compared to traditional cookstove

Intervention Water security Energy

security

Food security

Conservation

agriculture

Direct:

Improved water

retention of

soils.

Direct: Use of

Machinery

increases fuel

consumption

Direct:

Improved yields

and increasing

diversity

Energy-efficient

cooking stoves

Direct: Less

deforestation

improves water

retention of

soils.

Direct: Less

energy needed

for cooking.

Indirect:

Changes in

cooking habits

and time labor

allocation.


Applying the Nexus approach –

General challenges

Commonpool resources within the nexus.

Necessity of specific solutions for property

rights on commonpool resources

Food, energy and water security are global

public goods

Lack of global security enforcing

mechansims

Replace silo approach by a system

approach



Challenges for policymakers

Little incentives due to large barriers for

ministries to collaborate

Pitfalls of Individualism

Reasons for cooperation

Lack of responsibility



Possible strategies for policymakers

Nexus policymaking:

Develop and agree on common goals

Share responsibilities to obtain goals

Work together to achieve goals

Nexus gatherings:

Coordination of non-participating ministery

Collective resoponsibility by ministries

Horizontal accountability



Challenges for other stakeholders

Researchers: lack of articulate framework,

time constraints for group processes,

language barriers, publishing concerns

Private sector: incentive to work on

common problem


The Nexus in Malawi - GBI

Water Energy Food

Impact Change in

water

availability

Energy required

for operation

(e.g. Motorized

pump)

Increase yields of

food and cash

crops and diversify

agricultural

production

Kind Direct Direct Indirect

Outcome

(1):

Might increase

water access

Intensive nature

of energy usage

Ecker et al. (2010)

– greater

diversification and

poverty reduction

Outcome

(2):

Could decrease

water for other

stakeholder

Chinsinga and

Chasukwa (2012)

– property rights


Summary

Practical definition of the nexus

Nexus interventions

Difficulties implementing the nexus


Thank you for your attention!

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