The Water–Energy–Food Nexus: Concept and Assessments (Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes)

Water, Energy and Food are the very basic necessities of human life and all the three of them are interconnected with each other, this connection being called the Water-Energy-Food nexus. Water is an inevitable element to energy and food systems to work. Water is essential for the growth of crops and produce energy and it consumes a lot of energy to treat and move water. Food and energy are equally dependent upon each other as well. This book highlights with various examples and case studies from around the World, the importance of this concept. Contents About the Editor Reflections About the Food–Energy–Water Nexus in a World Without Economic Growth—A Dynamic Multinational CGE Model-Based Thought Experiment 1 Introduction 2 Economic Growth in History 2.1 Historical Deliberations 2.2 Corona Virus—A Historical Economic Growth Break-In 3 Modelling Economic Growth and the FEW Nexus: Theoretical Foundation 3.1 Solow Model 3.2 The Relation of Interest Rate and Time Preference 3.3 Food–Energy–Water Nexus and Economic Growth 4 A Four Country Dynamic Multinational CGE Model 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Model 4.3 Calibration 5 Model Results 6 Outlook 7 Recommendations for Further Research References The Evolution of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus as a Transformative Approach for Sustainable Development in South Africa 1 Introduction 1.1 Defining Sustainable Development 1.2 The WEF Nexus: What It Is? 2 The Approach to Assess WEF Nexus Development 3 Evolution of WEF Nexus Research in South Africa 3.1 Overall WEF Nexus Innovations in Each KSA 3.2 Milestones and Research Gaps in WEF Nexus Research 3.3 The WEF Nexus Integrative Model 3.4 Overview of WEF Nexus Indicators (2015 and 2018) 3.5 Interpretation of the Indices 3.6 Applications of the WEF Nexus Analytical Framework 4 Transitioning Towards Sustainable Food Systems Through Nexus Planning 5 Recommendations and Conclusions References Integrated Watershed Management Vis-a-Vis Water–Energy–Food Nexus 1 Introduction 2 Concept of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus 2.1 Nexus Approach 2.2 WEF Nexus Components 3 IWM and SWEF Nexus 4 Water–Energy–Food Nexus: Examples from Iran 5 Conclusion References The Use of Biodigesters in the Treatment of Swine Manure in Southern Brazil: An Analysis of an R&D Project from the Perspective of the WEF Nexus 1 Introduction 2 The Social Innovation of the Research 3 Applied Legislation 4 Characteristics of Both R&D Law and Innovation in the Brazilian Electricity Sector 5 Characteristics of Brazilian Legislation Related to Distributed Micro- and Mini-generation 6 Characteristics of Biogas-Related Legislation 7 Swine Production and Its Relationship with Water Footprint and WEF Nexus 8 Biogas Generation Process from Swine Manure and the Energy Credit System 9 Miniature Thermoelectric Power Plant (MCT) 10 Substation 11 Gas Pipeline 12 Gasometer 13 Types of Biodigesters 13.1 Wooden Digestate Ponds 13.2 Slate Stone Biodigester 13.3 Stainless Steel Biodigester 13.4 Concrete Biodigester 13.5 Canadian-Type Biodigester or Covered Lagoon 14 Supervisory System 15 The COVID-19 Impact on the Final Stages of the Biogas Project 16 Final Considerations References The Social Network Analysis to Study Discourse on Water–Energy–Food Nexus 1 Introduction 2 The Nexus Methods 3 Social Network Analysis 4 Practical Application of Network Analysis in Nexus Issues—The Case of Brazilian Biofuels 5 Conclusion References The German Capability Index—An Operationalization of Sen’s Capability Approach 1 Introduction 2 Conceptual Background—The Capability Approach 2.1 Capabilities, Functionings and Their Worldwide Reach 2.2 The Capabilities—A Vector of Abilities 3 Measuring the Worldwide Reach of German Households on the FEW-Nexus 3.1 German Household Survey (EVS) 3.2 Ecological Footprint 3.3 Ecological Footprint Germany 3.4 Water Footprint—The Centre of the FEW-Nexus 4 German Capability Index (GCI)—A Measure of the Worldwide Reach 4.1 Methodological Background 4.2 German Capability Index (GCI) of the Average Household 4.3 Operationalization of Sen’s Justice Approach—The Justice Spread 4.4 Revealed Capabilities 5 Conclusion—The Worldwide Reach of German Households 6 Outlook on Further Research Needs References Energy, Water, Food Nexus Decision-Making for Sustainable Food Security 1 Introduction: Food Insecurity Background Information: Trends and Causes 2 Resources Management: Decision-Making Challenges 3 EWF Nexus Approach: A Tool to Harness Resources Interactions in Achieving Sustainable Resources Management 3.1 Energy and Water 3.2 Food and Water 3.3 Energy and Food 3.4 Energy, Water and Food 4 EWF Nexus Modelling for Efficient Decision-Making and Resilient Food Security 4.1 Simulation Models 4.2 Risk and Uncertainty Assessment and Prediction 4.3 Optimisation Models 5 Conclusion References