Multi-sector natural resource management – the nexus concept and serious games An EU team is taking a unique approach to the study of the interlinkages among water, energy, food, land and climate. Through case studies and the use of serious gaming, the initiative is driving a change in the way we understand and manage natural resources. Digital Economy Industrial Technologies Food and Natural Resources Energy © Rawpixel.com, Shutterstock Introducing the SIM4NEXUS project, coordinator Floor Brouwer says: “The nexus concept aims to develop a holistic and comprehensive understanding of how the use of natural resources interact, within the context of a changing climate.” Alongside the multi-resource approach, the concept allows consideration of the sustainable management of natural resources as well as policy coherence. The overall goal is succinctly stated in the full project title: Sustainable Integrated Management for the nexus of water-land-food-energy-climate for a resource-efficient Europe. These resources are closely connected, meaning actions in one area impact all the others. In addressing this, SIM4NEXUS also takes into account the possible impact on these elements in response to climate and relevant policy changes. A two-pronged approach involving case studies and serious gaming will elucidate and help address barriers to a resource-efficient and low-carbon Europe. Designed to deliver something beyond pure entertainment, serious games help to connect ideas from different domains. The team has established gaming as a means for understanding policies, resulting in acceptance, mitigating conflicts and avenues for compromise. This marks an apparent first: “To the best of our knowledge, never before has a serious game been developed for the nexus and based on such an extensive list of scientifically sound models, data and methodologies,” Brouwer states. Game-based understanding and training Used to connect ideas from different domains, serious games offer the opportunity to debate and compare alternative solutions with a view to co-creating shared solutions. These games should enable stakeholders to understand and learn about the medium- and long-term implications of nexus-related policies. The serious games are being developed to explore a long-term (30-50 years) integrated approach to business and policy planning. At the same time, this aspect of project work also addresses the need to train practitioners and students to address societal challenges with complex features. They can be used as a training tool for local educators, to consider resilience, environmental protection and low-carbon development. SIM4NEXUS games are being tested in 12 case studies, involving practitioners from policy, business, civil society and research. Nexus-wide policy goals SIM4NEXUS is testing how a nexus approach might contribute to successful policy implementation, which should engender greater nexus-awareness across the whole policy cycle. Policy goals across all related sectors are focused on transparency regarding implementation and the means of achieving them, as well as maximising synergies and managing conflicts. Additionally, coherent policy processes should ensure equal respect for the different interests of all the sectors. Just as important, science-based decisions will take into account the relations between the sectors in this nexus. The coordinator effectively sums it up when outlining what he expects the project’s most significant achievement will be: “The scientific understanding of the water-land-food-energy-climate nexus is improved, and applicable at a range of scales (regional, national, transboundary, European and global).” The goal of bringing together all sectors understandably renders this a data-intensive project. Commenting on this, Brouwer says: “SIM4NEXUS does support targeted sharing of multi-sector data, with the objective to create synergies with knowledge and improve decision-making in the private and public sectors.” Partners are also developing training activities for exploitation of provided data and knowledge regarding the nexus in specific cases. Keywords SIM4NEXUS, nexus, policy, climate, natural resource, serious game, water, low-carbon, sustainable management
