Discussion // Tackling trade-offs in the food-water-energy nexus: lessons for the SDGs, London, United Kingdom

Ahead of the UN Climate Summit in September, ODI and CDKN bring you two days of events focused on environmental sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On 10 September, an event hosted by CDKN will share and discuss perspectives from the South on how climate change should be reflected in the SDGs. This will be followed, on 11 September, by a closer look at the food-water-energy nexus and how countries across three continents are managing the challenge of reducing poverty while developing sustainably.

Speakers currently confirmed

-Peter Newborne - Research Associate, ODI, on the Brazil case study -Andrew Scott - Research Fellow, ODI, overview of progress in development and the water-energy-food nexus -Nina Weitz - Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute, on the the relevance of the water-energy-food nexus to the proposed Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation -Joël Ouedraogo - Executive Director, Fédération Nationale des Groupements Naam (FNGN), on the Burkina Faso case study -Amanda Lenhardt - Research Officer, ODI, introducing the Burkina Faso case study and video interview with Joël Ouedraogo -Chair: Prof. Melissa Leach - Director, Institute of Development Studies Achieving poverty eradication and sustained progress in development will depend upon the use of natural resources as we enter a new era of post-2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The longer-term sustainability of natural resources, threatened by population and income growth, can be a low priority for many policy-makers in developing countries faced by the immediate challenges of poverty and low productivity. But how these development objectives are achieved can enhance sustainability, through appropriate policies and practices. In particular, it requires the integration of policy, planning and implementation across sectors — especially food, water and energy. National interpretation and implementation of SDG targets will also require integration across these sectors. This event will examine how certain developing countries have tackled the trade-offs inherent within the food-water-energy nexus, balancing environmental concerns with the need for development, and it will reflect on the importance of integrating across sectors for the implementation of the SDGs. New research conducted as part of ODI's Development Progress project will be discussed, including: - Case studies on sustainable energy and development in Viet Nam and Brazil - A case study on sustainable agricultural techniques in Burkina Faso - A case study on water resource management in China - A report on development progress and the food-water-energy nexus over the past two decades The launch will include a public event with a panel of experts, followed by an invited roundtable to allow for further inputs and more in-depth discussion.