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This executive summary, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute for the Combat Climate Change (3C) initiative, examines how resource scarcity in biomass, metals, and water could hinder the transition to a low-carbon economy. It evaluates various scenarios for resource availability and proposes strategies—including technological innovation, policy shifts, and efficiency improvements—to ensure the viability of green technologies.

This policy brief, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute in partnership with the 3C initiative, examines the water-energy nexus within the context of a low-carbon transition. It highlights that while low-carbon electricity technologies are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, some may require as much or more water as fossil-fuel generation, potentially limiting their viability in water-stressed regions. The document provides a detailed case study of California to demonstrate how strategic technology choices—such as prioritizing solar photovoltaics over solar thermal and adopting dry-cooling systems—can simultaneously reduce emissions and water demand.

This report describes the development and application of an integrated water-energy-food-ecosystems (WEFE) and macroeconomic model for the Syr Darya River Basin. The model combines three software platforms—Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP), Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) with Next Energy Modeling system for Optimization (NEMO), and a macroeconomic model (Macro)—to simulate the interdependencies between water availability, energy production, and economic growth across Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan from 2010 to 2050.

This research paper analyzes three grid-connected agricultural solar photovoltaic schemes in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh to provide implementation recommendations for Tamil Nadu's adoption of Component C of the PM KUSUM scheme.

This case study examines the water-energy nexus in Qingdao, analyzing how different water source selections—ranging from local surface water to seawater desalination—impact the energy consumption and carbon emissions of the municipal water supply system.

The World Resources Institute report examines the reciprocal relationship between water and energy supplies, highlighting how water scarcity threatens energy production and how energy-intensive water treatment is required to meet growing water demands.