event 05 Jun 2018

WEF Nexus Training Module 1 // Introduction to the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus

Training Module 1 “Introduction to the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus” provides a theoretical introduction to the concept of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Security Nexus. The aim of the training module is to allow workshop participants to gain a deeper understanding of the WEF Nexus as an integrated and holistic management approach in decision-making processes within the water, energy, food and environmental sectors.

Cover nexus training workshop module 01
https://www.giz.de/en (C) GIZ

This training module has been developed by the GIZ Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme in cooperation with the Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT) of the Cologne University of Applied Sciences to present hands-on tools and instruments on how to approach Nexus challenges in practice. Also check out other training modules.

Summary

Training Module 1 “Introduction to the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus” provides a theoretical introduction to the concept of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Security Nexus. The aim of the training module is to allow workshop participants to gain a deeper understanding of the WEF Nexus as an integrated and holistic management approach in decision-making processes within the water, energy, food and environmental sectors.

It further introduces hands on tools and strategies on how to implement the Nexus approach in planning and communication processes across sectors and different levels. The training module is primarily targeted at decision makers at municipal, national, ministerial and regional policy levels. It is divided into three chapters: “Background”, “WEF Interconnections” and “Assessment and Implementation”. Each section concludes with a series of questions to the audience in order to stimulate discussions and to give room for reflection on the presented information. This allows the workshop participants to share their expertise and experiences and to learn about different views and perspectives.

The background section starts with an overview of the different interdependencies of the water, energy, food and environmental sectors across different scales. It highlights the importance of the Nexus as an integrated management approach in the context of global challenges and a dynamic and uncertain future. It presents different conceptual models of the Nexus concept, representing different perspectives (from an ecosystems, water security and livelihood perspective). This section further gives a short historic overview on the development of the concept and its relevance to international agendas and agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and NDCs. The chapter concludes with presenting possible measures for a successful implementation and operationalization of the Nexus approach, promoting dialogue and a stronger cross-sectoral collaboration.

The second section begins with an introduction of the concepts of the individual resource securities and how these terms are defined. It then presents trade-offs, competition as well as resource use efficiency and synergies between the individual Nexus components. The end of the chapter introduces various case studies from Costa Rica, Central Asia, Chile and India, which demonstrate how the sectors are interconnected in practice.

The third section focuses on the process of assessing WEF Nexus issues and applying appropriate concepts and tools in order to allow an integrated planning and sustainable decision-making. Different hands-on tools for Nexus modelling, conceptual visualization and quantitative assessments are presented in form of practical examples. The final part focuses on policy and governance instruments for implementation such as policy frameworks and approaches to policy coordination e.g. inter-departmental working groups or steering committees and task forces on different levels.

Table of content

  • 1. Background
    • 1.1 Importance of the Nexus
    • 1.2 The WEF Nexus approach
    • 1.3 Variations of the WEF Nexus model
  • 2. WEF Interconnections
    • 2.1 Individual resource securities
    • 2.2 Interconnections: Trade-offs and competition, resources use efficiency, synergies
    • 2.3 Pool of case studies
  • 3. Assessment and Implementation
    • 3.1 Nexus Assessment
    • 3.2 Nexus Tools
    • 3.3 Policy and Governance Instruments for Implementation

Access WEF Nexus Training Module I

The training material can be accessed for free. If you are interested in purchasing the training material please send an email to the Global Nexus Secretariat nexus@giz.de and we will send you the training material. Please state your professional background and the purpose, for which you intend to use the material. Thank you very much!

Published

June 2018

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