A Literature Review to Propose a Systematic Procedure to Develop “Nexus Thinking” Considering the Water–Energy–Food Nexus

Cássia Juliana Fernandes Torres, Camilla Hellen Peixoto de Lima, Bárbara Suzart de Almeida Goodwin, Terencio Rebello de Aguiar Junior, Andrea Sousa Fontes, Daniel Veras Ribeiro, Rodrigo Saldanha Xavier da Silva and Yvonilde Dantas Pinto Medeiros
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Cássia Juliana Fernandes Torres: Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil
Camilla Hellen Peixoto de Lima: Civil Engineering Program, Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Postgraduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941909, Brazil
Bárbara Suzart de Almeida Goodwin: Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil
Terencio Rebello de Aguiar Junior: Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil
Andrea Sousa Fontes: Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil
Daniel Veras Ribeiro: Department of Materials Science and Technology, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil
Rodrigo Saldanha Xavier da Silva: Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil
Yvonilde Dantas Pinto Medeiros: Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40210630, Brazil

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-32

Abstract: There is a growing interest in the literature on the theme of the water–energy–food nexus, as there is growing recognition that sectors that share natural resources have interdependent and interconnected systems. Despite the widespread popularity of nexus thinking, it still lacks standardized procedures and methodologies to assist in its development. Therefore, this paper proposes, from a literature review, a systematic procedure to assist in the development of management models based on nexus thinking. To this end, 304 papers were analyzed using the following criteria: nexus concept, type of approach, geographic scale, elements in the nexus system, application context, and types of assessment methods and tools. The results of the review served as the basis for determining the procedure, which consisted of four steps: (a) understanding nexus thinking, (b) identification of composing variables, (c) evaluation (diagnosis and prognosis), and (d) decision-making. In addition to the standardization of these steps, the main information used to compose the procedure was organized and synthesized with a mind map.

Keywords: Water–energy–food nexus; mind map; nexus concept; methodological development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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