1. Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Building the Way Forward
IWA WATER & Development congress
October 20, 2015

2. Isolated infrastructure (engineered and natural) solutions aimed at just one sector are no longer fit for purpose – as disturbance and change in one part of the system can destabilise another part. For example, building an irrigation scheme to abstract water upstream can reduce the amount of water available for hydroelectic power generation. Or in the case of natural infrastructure clearing the forest in the upper part of the catchment for agriculture, will result in sedimentation of dams downstream and result in poor water quality that affects fisheries and drinking water supply.

4. Food, water and energy Food security: 925 million people go hungry
Around 1 billion people suffer from the ‘hidden hunger’
World population is increasing by 6 million per month
An extra billion tonnes of cereals will be needed by 2030 (FAO)
Water security:
1.2 billion people live in areas affected by physical water scarcity
1.6 billion people live in areas affected by economic water scarcity
884 million people lack access to clean water
Poor quality water in Middle East and North Africa costs from 0.5% to 2.5% of GDP.
Energy security:
Currently, 1.4bn people do not have sufficient electricity.
It is estimated that in bn people will still lack access to electricity
Source: FAO (2010) / WEO 2010/UNICEF 2010 4

5. 2050 – The Challenge 9 Billion People 60% More Food 80% More Energy
Water +55% OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050
Energy +80% OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050
Emissions (GHG) +52% (with no policy change) OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050
Food +60% FAO (TOWARDS 2030/2050)
80%
More
Energy
55%
More
Water

6. Energy and agriculture price volatility
Global Nexus Risks
Water supply crisis
Energy and agriculture price volatility
Food shortages crises

7. Nexus Dialogue on Water Infrastructure Solutions
CENTRAL ASIA
JULY 2014
ASIA
March 2014
LATIN AMERICA
September 2013
AFRICA
May 2013
Series of workshops – each workshop went through a process of defining problems, solutions, and ways to mobilise these solutions. A selection were then developed into proposals, some of which are being developed further.
In Africa, the focus was on discussing best practices
Reference Group provides strategic direction, experienced opinion, foresight and thought leadership to the Dialogue. Reference Group members were drawn from leading agencies working on nexus and infrastructure challenges in the water, food, and energy disciplines.
Latin America – have moved towards optimization of these best practices
In Asia , the focus was on how to mobilize and implement best practices and innovative ideas, including securing the enabling environment that can make that happen
Central – Asia – aim was to go a step further – enhance collaboration identify practical steps toward implementing water, energy and food nexus planning and practices in the Amu Darya River Basin – includes developing an investment grade proposal
In Africa solutions centred around technical led development and planning
In Latin America there were more institutional, governance and financing issues
In Asia – a series of proposasl were developed – e.g. data democratizations. Also platform for green technology implementation - Wetlands systems, use of anaerobic systems, air cooling in power plants
– for example in the Magdelena Basin in Colombia there are 32 institutions dealing with water resources

8. “Nexus Solutions?” multiple goals – 4 x pictures, 4 arrows
then integrate and optimise – 1 arrow
what is optimise – the best result for multiple goals

10. Confronting Nexus Challenges
Which technologies?
What governance arrangements?
Whose risks and benefits at which scales?
How can investment pathways work across sectors?
Which sectors are most powerful?

12. A Framework for Action
In looking at opportunities and challenges for water, energy and food in Latin America used this framework
Of the 4 I’s infrastructure, institutions, information and investment which govern nexus trade-offs
Go through a few highlights – report more detail

13. Thank you! More information: www.waternexussolutions.org