Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nexus Theory and Approach

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Material Flows with Nexus of Regional Socioeconomic System

Part of the book series: Industrial Ecology and Environmental Management ((IEEM,volume 3))

  • 21 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter mainly introduces nexus theory and approach. Broadly speaking, the nexus approach is a tool for integrating systems, a platform for engaging stakeholders, and a method for exploring pathways for development. It is also a comprehensive tool to solve the challenges of global sustainable development. The appearance of nexus can be traced back to the early 1980s, and the relationship between two nodes (food-energy) was initially proposed. As time goes by, the nexus approach becomes more and more complex and diverse, and the number of nodes involved also increases. These nodes can be resource departments/systems or specific social-ecological problems. The nexus approach is very beneficial to the sustainable development agenda. Because the more nodes involved, the more potential reality can be captured. However, there is no consensus on key-related nodes covering all Sustainable Development Goals. The current problems of using nexus approach in the context of sustainable development include formulating implementation framework and determining relevant indicators and target values for evaluating trade-offs and synergies. Overall, the nexus approach has the potential to contribute to global sustainability, but further efforts are required to fully harness its benefits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agarwal A, et al (2000) Integrated water resources management. Environmental science and engineering. Global Water Partnership, Stockholm, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  • Agboola MO, Bekun FV, Joshua U (2021) Pathway to environmental sustainability: nexus between economic growth, energy consumption, CO2 emission, oil rent and total natural resources rent in Saudi Arabia. Resour Policy 74:102380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allouche J, Middleton C, Gyawali D (2015) Technical veil, hidden politics: interrogating the power linkages behind the nexus. Water Altern 8:610–626

    Google Scholar 

  • Biswas AK (2008) Integrated water resources management: is it working? Int J Water Resour Dev 24:5–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900620701871718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleischwitz R, Spataru C, VanDeveer SD et al (2018) Resource nexus perspectives towards the United Nations sustainable development goals. Nat Sustain 1:737–743. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0173-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boas I, Biermann F, Kanie N (2016) Cross-sectoral strategies in global sustainability governance: towards a nexus approach. Int Environ Agreements Polit Law Econ 16:449–464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-016-9321-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodkin RG (1962) The wage-price productivity nexus. New Haven, CT: Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University. (No. 147)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmona-Moreno C et al (eds) (2021) Implementing the water– energy–food–ecosystems nexus and achieving the sustainable development goals. UNESCO, European Union and IWA Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Casillas CE, Kammen DM (2010) The energy-poverty-climate nexus. Science 330:1181–1182. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1197412

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R et al (2015) Scenarios for Australia in 2050: a synthesis and proposed survey. J Futur Stud 19:49–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey MM, Barr L (1962) Intercellular connection between smooth muscle cells: the nexus. Science 137(3531):670–672

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durant RF, Holmes MD (1985) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s water: the Rio Grande Basin regulatory experience. Public Adm Rev 45(6):821–831. https://doi.org/10.2307/975357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elkington J (1994) Towards the sustainable corporation: Win-win-win business strategies for sustainable development. Calif Manag Rev 36:90–100. https://doi.org/10.2307/41165746

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endo A, Tsurita I, Burnett K et al (2017) A review of the current state of research on the water, energy, and food nexus. J Hydrol Reg Stud 11:20–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.11.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Estoque RC (2020) A review of the sustainability concept and the state of SDG monitoring using remote sensing. Remote Sens 12:1770. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12111770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Estoque RC (2023) Complexity and diversity of nexuses: a review of the nexus approach in the sustainability context. Sci Total Environ 854:158612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158612

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Estoque RC, Gomi K, Togawa T et al (2019a) Scenario-based land abandonment projections: method, application and implications. Sci Total Environ 692:903–916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Estoque RC, Makoto O, Valerio A et al (2019b) The future of Southeast Asia’s forests. Nat Commun 10:1829. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09646-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Estoque RC, Murayama Y (2014a) Measuring sustainability based upon various perspectives: a case study of a hill station in Southeast Asia. Ambio 43:943–956. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-014-0498-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Estoque RC, Murayama Y (2014b) Social-ecological status index: a preliminary study of its structural composition and application. Ecol Indic 43:183–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.02.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghiat I, Al-Ansari T (2021) A review of carbon capture and utilisation as a CO2 abatement opportunity within the EWF nexus. J CO2 Util 45: 101432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2020.101432

  • Gleick PH (1994) Water and energy. In: Socolow RH, Anderson D, Harte J (eds) Annual review of energy and the environment, 19. Annual Reviews Inc., Palo Alto, CA, pp 267–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Greacen C, von Hippel D, Bill D (2013) An introduction to integrated resources planning. International Rivers, California, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Grober U (2007) Deep roots: a conceptual history of ‘sustainable development’ (Nachhaltigkeit). WZB Discussion Paper, No. P 2007–002. Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB), Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellegers P, Zilberman D, Steduto P et al (2008) Interactions between water, energy, food and environment: evolving perspectives and policy issues. Water Policy 10:1–10. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2008.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoff H (2011) Understanding the Nexus. Background paper for the Bonn 2011 nexus conference: The water, energy and food security nexus. Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoolohan C, Larkin A, Mclachlan C et al (2018) Engaging stakeholders in research to address water–energy–food (WEF) nexus challenges. Sustain Sci 13:1415–1426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0552-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howarth C, Monasterolo I (2017) Opportunities for knowledge co-production across the energy-food-water nexus: Making interdisciplinary approaches work for better climate decision making. Environ Sci Policy 75:103–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.05.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hülsmann S, Ardakanian R (2014) White book on advancing a nexus approach to the sustainable management of water, soil and waste. UNU-FLORES, Dresden, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram HM, Mann DE, Weatherford GD et al (1984) Guidelines for improved institutional analysis in water resources planning. Water Resour Res 20(3):323–334. https://doi.org/10.1029/wr020i003p00323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) (2019) In: Brondizio ES, Settele J, Díaz S, Ngo HT (eds), Glossary. In global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany, pp 1031–1064

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2007) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability: contribution of working group ii to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change) (2022) In: Pörtner H-O et al (eds) ( 2022) Summary for policymakers. In climate change: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability contribution of working group II to the sixth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press in Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostetckaia M, Hametner M (2022) How sustainable development goals interlinkages influence European Union countries’ progress towards the 2030 agenda. Sustain Dev 30(5):916–926. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kroll C, Warchold A, Pradhan P (2019) Sustainable development goals (SDGs): are we successful in turning trade-offs into synergies? Palgrave Commun 5:140. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0335-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurentiis DV, Hunt VD, Rogers DC (2016) Overcoming food security challenges within an energy/water/food nexus (EWFN) approach. Sustainability 8(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/su8010095

  • Lee SH, Assi AT, Daher B et al (2020) A water-energy-food nexus approach for conducting trade-off analysis: Morocco’s phosphate industry in the Khouribga region. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 24:4727–4741. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4727-2020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liadze I, Macchiarelli C, Mortimer-Lee P et al (2022) The economic costs of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. National Institute of Economic and Social Research, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu JG, Dietz T, Carpenter SR et al (2007) Coupled human and natural systems. Ambio 36(8):639–649. https://doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447(2007)36[639:CHANS]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu JG, Hull V, Godfray HCJ et al (2018) Nexus approaches to global sustainable development. Nat Sustain 1(9):466–476. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0135-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik RPS (2002) Water-energy nexus in resource-poor economies: the Indian experience. Int J Water Resour Dev 18:47–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900620220121648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marselle MR, Hartig T, Cox DTC et al (2021) Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: a conceptual framework. Environ Int 150:106420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106420

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Messerli P, Bader C, Hett C et al (2015) Towards a spatial understanding of trade-offs in sustainable development: a meso-scale analysis of the nexus between land use, poverty, and environment in the Lao PDR. PLoS ONE 10:e0133418. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133418

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mukhtarov FG (2008) Intellectual history and current status of integrated water resources management: a global perspective. In: Pahl-Wostl C, Kabat P, Möltgen J (eds) Adaptive and integrated water management: coping with complexity and uncertainty. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 167–185

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Nathaniel S, Khan SAR (2020) The nexus between urbanization, renewable energy, trade, and ecological footprint in ASEAN countries. J Clean Prod 272:122709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill BC, Kriegler E, Ebi KL et al (2017) The roads ahead: Narratives for shared socioeconomic pathways describing world futures in the 21st century. Glob Environ Chang 42:169–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.01.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom E (2009) A general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems. Science 325:419–422. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1172133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padmanaban S, Sarkar A (2001) Electricity demand side management (DSM) in India: a strategic and policy perspective. Office of Energy, Environmental, and Enterprise; U.S. Agency for International Development—India. Retrieved January 18, 2014, from http://www.usaid.gov/in/whatsnew/articles/dsm.htm

  • Pedercini M, Arquitt S, Collste D et al (2019) Harvesting synergy from sustainable development goal interactions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 116:23021–23038. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1817276116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phulkerd S, Ngqangashe Y, Collin J et al (2022) Moving from silos to synergies: strengthening governance of food marketing policy in Thailand. Glob Health 18(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-022-00825-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D (1985) Energy and agriculture: their interacting futures. In: Lévy M, Robinson JL (eds), Policy implications of global models. New York, Harwood Academic Publishers for the United Nations University

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs I (1982) The food-Energy nexus subprogramme. Proposal prepared for the United Nations University, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs I, Silk D (1990) Food and energy—strategies for sustainable development. United Nations University Press, The United Nations University, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Sant G, Dixit S (1996) Beneficiaries of IPS subsidy and impact of tariff hike. Econ Polit Wkly 31:3315–3321

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlör H, Märker C, Venghaus S (2021) Developing a nexus systems thinking test–a qualitative multi-and mixed methods analysis. Renew Sust Energ Rev 138:110543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott CA, El-Naser H, Hagan RE et al (2003) Facing water scarcity in Jordan: reuse, demand reduction, energy and transboundary approaches to assure future water supplies. Water Int 28(2):209–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060308691686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott CA, Faruqui NI, Raschid-Sally L (eds) (2004a) Wastewater use in irrigated agriculture: confronting the livelihood and environmental realities. CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott CA, Kurian M, Wescoat JL Jr (2015) The water-energy-food nexus: enhancing adaptive capacity to complex global challenges. In: Kurian M, Ardakanian R (eds) Governing the nexus: water, oils and waste resources considering global change. Springer, Cham, pp 15–38

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Scott CA, Shah T (2004) Groundwater overdraft reduction through agricultural energy policy: insights from India and Mexico. Int J Water Resour Dev 20(2):149–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/0790062042000206156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott CA, Shah T, Buechler SJ et al (2004c). La fijación de precios y el suministro de energía para el manejo de la demanda de agua subterránea: Enseñanzas de la agricultura mexicana. In Lévy M, Robinson JL (Eds.) Hacia una gestión integral del agua en México: Retos y alternativas. Mexico City: Porrua Editores

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegfried TU, Fishman R, Modi V et al (2008) An entitlement approach to address the water-energy-food nexus in Rural India. 1. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, p 0846

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson GB, Jewitt GPW (2019) The development of the water-energy-food nexus as a framework for achieving resource security: a review. Front Environ Sci 7:8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon BD (1987) Paradoxes of western energy development: How can we maintain the land and the people if we develop? In McKell CM, Browne DG, Cruze EC, Freudenburg WR, Perrine RL, Roach F (eds) AAAS Selected Symposium. Boulder, CO: Westview Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Szetey K, Moallemi AE, Ashton E et al (2021) Co-creating local socioeconomic pathways for achieving the sustainable development goals. Sustain Sci 16:1251–1268. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11625-021-00921-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner BL, Matson PA, Mccarthy JJ (2003) Illustrating the coupled human-environment system for vulnerability analysis: three case studies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:8080–8085. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1231334100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) (2015) Reconciling resource uses in transboundary basins: Assessment of the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations

    Google Scholar 

  • van Vuuren DP, Bijl LD, Bogaart P et al (2019) Integrated scenarios to support analysis of the food–energy–water nexus. Nat Sustain 2:1132–1141. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0418-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Vuuren DP, Zimm C, Busch S et al (2022) Defining a sustainable development target space for 2030 and 2050. One Earth 5:142–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.01.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WEF (The World Economic Forum) (2011) Water security: the water-food-energy-climate nexus. The World Economic Forum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werners SE, Sparkes E, Totin E et al (2021) Advancing climate resilient development pathways since the IPCC’s fifth assessment report. Environ Sci Policy 126:168–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.09.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead AN (1929) Process and reality. Macmillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigmore JH (1943) The scope of the contract-concept. Columbia Law Rev 43(5):569–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu ZC, Chen XZ, Liu JG et al (2020) Impacts of irrigated agriculture on food–energy–water–CO2 nexus across metacoupled systems. Nat Commun 11:5837. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19520-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • York DW, Narum DR (1996) The lessons and legacy of integrated resource planning. In: ACEEE Proceedings. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Washington, DC, pp 179–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan MH, Lo SL (2022) Principles of food-energy-water nexus governance. Renew Sust Energ Rev 155:111937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yue Q, Guo P (2021) Managing agricultural water-energy-food-environment nexus considering water footprint and carbon footprint under uncertainty. Agric Water Manag 252:106899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.106899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Tan Q, Yu XN et al (2020) Synergy assessment and optimization for water-energy-food nexus: modeling and application. Renew Sust Energ Rev 134:110059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao YH, Shi QL, Li H et al (2022) Simulating the economic and environmental effects of integrated policies in energy-carbon-water nexus of China. Energy 238:121783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121783

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China

    Huijun Wu

Authors
  1. Huijun Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Huijun Wu .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Wu, H. (2024). Nexus Theory and Approach. In: Material Flows with Nexus of Regional Socioeconomic System. Industrial Ecology and Environmental Management, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54299-2_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation