Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Principles and Practices

P. Abdul Salam, Sangam Shrestha, Vishnu Prasad Pandey, Anil Kumar Anal

• Publisher: American Geophysical Union
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781119243151
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geology & Earth Sciences

Water, energy and food are key resources to sustain life, and are the fundamental to national, regional and global economies. These three resources are interlinked in multiple ways, and the term "nexus" captures the interconnections. The nexus has been discussed, debated, researched, and advocated widely but the focus is often on the pairings of "water-energy" or "water-food" or "energy-food". To really benefit from the nexus approach in terms of resource use efficiency it is essential to understand, operationalize and practice the nexus of all three resources. As demand for these resources increases worldwide, using them sustainability is a critical concern for scientists and citizens, governments and policy makers.

Volume highlights include:

• Contributions to the global debate on water-energy-food nexus
• Examples of the nexus approach in practice from different regions of the world
• Perspectives on the future of the nexus agenda

Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Theories and Practices is a valuable resource for students, research scholars and professionals in academic institutions with strong interests in interdisciplinary research involving geography, earth science, environmental science, environmental management, sustainability science, international development, and ecological economics. The volume will also be useful for professionals, practitioners and consultants in /NGOs, government, and international agencies. Read an interview with the editors to find out more:
https://eos.org/editors-vox/working-towards-a-sustainable-future

Section III
Nexus in Practice

12
The Water‐Energy‐Food Nexus from a South African Perspective

Olusola O. Ololade¹, Surina Esterhuyse¹, and Audrey D. Levine^2,3,4

¹ Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa

² University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

³ US National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA, USA

⁴ Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

ABSTRACT

This chapter has brought a few case studies from South Asia and showcased the linkages that exist between energy, water, and food in the rural areas. The case studies show how the provisioning of energy leads to assured water availability and better agricultural productivity and food security. Further the chapter discusses where the linkages lie and how the establishment of such linkages helps in transforming the landscape of villages and leads to a sustainable future.

12.1. INTRODUCTION

About 95% of the world’s population growth occurs in developing countries that face significant challenges due to pervasive malnutrition compounded by persistent water scarcity as exemplified by conditions in sub‐Saharan Africa [Rockstrom et al., 2003]. In fact, it is widely acknowledged that the security and resiliency of the water, energy, and food (WEF) systems necessary for life are at a critical tipping point throughout Africa [Siddiqi and Anadon, 2011; Scott et al., 2003; McCornick et al., 2008; IEA, 2010]. Many people, especially in rural areas, lack access to dependable sources of water, food, and energy. Population growth and increased urbanization, coupled with environmental stressors, climate disruption, and economic uncertainties have intensified the need to consider interdependencies among WEF systems [Bazilian et al., 2011; Gulati et al., 2013; Leese and Meisch, 2015]. The capacity to replenish surface and groundwater resources is compromised by increased variability and unpredictability in the frequency, intensity, and duration of rainfall events due to climate disruption. Changes in the water budget across the continent impact crop production with direct negative consequences for food security [Mendelsohn et al., 2007]. Leese and Meisch [2015] suggest that scarcity of WEF life‐supporting resources can threaten human existence and trigger extreme behavior.

This chapter focuses on the WEF nexus in South Africa, a water‐scarce country where about 13% of the land is arable and the population experiences significant disparities in equitable access to water, energy, and food [StatSA, 2011]. South Africa is also witnessing unprecedented development supported by a growing and diverse economy that relies on unstable energy resources [South African Government, 2008; PARI, 2013]. These paradoxes provide a unique opportunity to explore how the interconnectedness, interdependencies, and security of food, energy, and water systems can lead to new policy paradigms and to identify research needs for moving South Africa onto a sustainable development path.

12.2. WEF NEXUS PERSPECTIVE IN EXISTING POLICY FRAMEWORKS

As a prelude to considering the WEF nexus, it is useful to consider the capacity of governance structures to accommodate this inclusive approach for resource management. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) [RSA, 1996], enacted 20 years ago, provides a valuable context for the WEF nexus through several provisions. The Constitution includes a Bill of Rights, which defines specific environmental rights (Environment, section 24) and food and water security (Health care, food, water, and social security, section 27). The following excerpts from the Bill of Rights are pertinent to the WEF nexus:

1. Every person has the right to
   1. an environment that is not harmful to their health or well‐being
   2. have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures
   3. sufficient food and water
2. Environmental protection measures should
   1. prevent pollution and ecological degradation
   2. promote conservation
   3. secure ecologically sustainable development and the use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development

There is also legislation that specifically addresses water and energy. The South African National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) provides a holistic and inclusive hydrologic cycle approach to managing “all” water. Water use allocations are centralized through Catchment Management Agencies. The Water Act also includes water “Reserve,” which requires that water is set aside to support basic human needs and the environment. The country’s electricity sector is regulated by the Department of Energy (DoE) through the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) of 2006 (No. 4 of 2006) and the National Energy Act of 2008 (No. 34 of 2008), which require consideration of the country’s overarching energy needs and implementation of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Other relevant legislation includes the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) [RSA, 1998], which requires that all development in South Africa be socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable to provide for all present and future generations.

Collectively, the existing governance frameworks can provide a robust springboard for in...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• CONTRIBUTORS
• PREFACE
• ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
• Section I: Understanding the Nexus
• Section II: Operationalizing the Nexus
• Section III: Nexus in Practice
• Section IV: Future of the Nexus Agenda
• Index
• End User License Agreement