Collecting inputs for the Bonn2011 Nexus Conference preparatory process

The question of how to effectively use our water resources has been debated for decades, yet what we need more than ever is direct action at the field level.

A message from Felix Dodds, Executive Director of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future and International Steering Committee (ISC) Member

Tensions over land, water and food: The Arab awakening was driven not only by political and economic stresses, but, less visibly, by environmental, population and climate stresses

The water-energy nexus has been coming into focus over the last couple of years. The idea is that water and energy are inextricably linked: it takes water to make energy and energy to clean and move water. In the last year or so, a third critical human resource has been added to the mix: food. Theoretically, we can better and more sustainably manage each of these resources if we understand their impact on each other. This week the water-energy-food nexus hit prime time at Rio+20, with meetings following out from reports at the 2011 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland; a dedicated meeting in Bonn, Germany; and the Sixth World Water Forum in Marseilles, France, in March. These meetings have reached similar conclusions: The water, energy and food security nexus will be one of the major challenges in achieving universal access to these resources without compromising the health and stability of the environment.

Water governance and investment will be key topics addressed at the inaugural International Water Summit (IWS), which will take place on 15-17 January 2013, as a part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. “The sessions we have developed for IWS, including interactive voting sessions, will explore, among other issues, the ways political initiative and water governance can lead to mutually beneficial public-private sector synergies, attract investors and stimulate business development in the water industry,” said Peter McConnell, Show Director for the IWS.

In a wide-ranging interview with Sanjeev Chadha, President, PepsiCo Middle East & Africa, we discussed the evolving relationship between business and society, water management and sustainability at PepsiCo, shortages and scarcity particularly in the Middle East and Africa, the interconnectivity of water with a number of other critical issues, and key leadership lessons learned from a business perspective in tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems.

The GSV Forum 2012 in New Delhi/India on 5 November 2012 brought together opinion leaders from South Asia and beyond to discuss the role business in society, nutrition, water and rural development. This video contains the session on “Water, energy, food security”.