Water, food and trade as an element of the water-energy-food nexus in the mena region

Abstract

The purpose of the analysis will be to provide an introduction to the architecture of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. It will be argued that recognising this architecture could be helpful in three ways. First, it could enable public policymakers to identify the risks of business as usual approaches to managing water and energy. Secondly, it highlights - for the key private sector players in the water, energy and food supply chains - the importance of stewarding the ecosystems of water, biodiversity and the atmosphere. Thirdly, the supply chains architecture enables water and energy scientists and professionals to engage with nexus science and nexus practice more effectively. The analysis will focus on the water, food and trade sub-nexus and the need to understand the operation of this sub-nexus in the Middle East.