Leverage points for achieving integrated socio-ecological security across the water, energy, food (WEF) nexus

Larry A. Swatuk, Corrine Cash and Natasha Tang Kai

Chapter 9 in The Elgar Companion to Food System Transformation for Sustainable Development, 2026, pp 116-132 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Over time, many ideas have come forward supporting collective and integrated action to ensure sustainability. Since the latter years of the first decade of the 21st century, the idea of a nexus approach has emerged as a dominant force in state houses and think tanks worldwide. There are many types of nexus. In this chapter, we discuss the Water-Energy-Food Nexus (WEF nexus) in theory and practice and reflect upon its potential to assist resource managers in achieving the triple bottom line of integrated water resources management (IWRM): environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic efficiency. To this end, the chapter describes the ‘nexus’, looks at the addition of ecosystems to the earlier WEF nexus, describes several models of the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus, provides a critique of the nexus approach, and reflects on the suitability of WEFE nexus planning and practice to minimise trade-offs and build synergies across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Following this, it briefly discusses ten leverage points for achieving integrated socio-ecological security across the WEF nexus. The chapter concludes that there are numerous entry points for effective WEF nexus planning, implementation, and assessment. Where there has been progress in building synergies, it tends to emerge at both the largest (e.g., hydropower dams) and smallest scales (e.g., micro-hydro for food and livelihood security). However, as with all questions of resource management decisions (and trade-offs), the governance process underpinning WEF nexus decision-making is crucial if outcomes are not to privilege the interests of the powerful few ahead of the disempowered and marginalised many.

Keywords: WEF Nexus; Ecosystems; SDG 2; SDG 6; SDG 7; Resource Governance; Environmental Management; Socio-ecological Sustainability; Technological Innovation; Financial Investments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332847
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