Managing environmental systems: the water-energy-food nexus

The document outlines SEI's interdisciplinary approach to the water-energy-food nexus, emphasizing the need to integrate cross-sectoral interactions, ecosystem services, and multi-scale governance. It highlights the use of analytical tools like WEAP and LEAP to identify synergies and trade-offs in resource management. SEI advocates for participatory processes and the identification of policy 'entry points' to ensure scientific research translates into practical, sustainable solutions for resource scarcity.

• The nexus approach recognizes that water, energy, and food are interconnected through global and local cycles, but these sectors are typically managed by separate government agencies and research groups, leading to fragmented planning.
• Effective nexus analysis must integrate human security and natural resource needs within ecosystems to avoid eroding vital ecosystem services, such as deforestation caused by land demand for biofuels and food.
• Resource management requires analysis across different spatial and temporal scales, as energy and water systems are often governed differently (e.g., national versus river basin levels).
• To achieve policy impact, nexus research must be integrated into existing policy processes and utilize participatory methods to incorporate local knowledge and stakeholder perspectives.
• While many nexus problems offer 'win-win' efficiency improvements, such as reducing irrigation water loss, some scenarios involving extreme resource scarcity result in difficult trade-offs requiring value judgments.
• SEI utilizes a suite of analytical tools, including the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system and the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) system, which have been modified to exchange information for integrated analysis.

APA

Davis, M., Huber-Lee, A., Hoff, H., & Purkey, D. R. (2014). Managing environmental systems: the water-energy-food nexus. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Air-land-water-resources/SEI-RSB-2014-Water-energy-food-nexus.pdf

Chicago

Davis, Marion, Annette Huber-Lee, Holger Hoff, and David R. Purkey. Managing environmental systems: the water-energy-food nexus. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2014. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Air-land-water-resources/SEI-RSB-2014-Water-energy-food-nexus.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Davis |first1=Marion |last2=Huber-Lee |first2=Annette |last3=Hoff |first3=Holger |last4=Purkey |first4=David R. |title=Managing environmental systems: the water-energy-food nexus |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2014 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Air-land-water-resources/SEI-RSB-2014-Water-energy-food-nexus.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{davis2014managing, author = {Davis, Marion and Huber-Lee, Annette and Hoff, Holger and Purkey, David R.}, title = {{Managing environmental systems: the water-energy-food nexus}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2014}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Air-land-water-resources/SEI-RSB-2014-Water-energy-food-nexus.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }