Project description
Reimagining the water-energy-food nexus
The struggle for resources is a source of potential conflict in many regions of the world. The water-energy-food nexus addresses the complex and interrelated nature of the resource systems. The EU-funded REXUS project aims to transform the way our societies think about our most precious resources. Specifically, it will work to develop shared visions and adaptive nexus management strategies. The objective is for the pilot case alliances in Europe and Latin America to develop shared visions and adaptive nexus management strategies that will meet the nexus sectoral objectives as well as broader criteria, such as habitat protection. Ecosystem-based adaptation measures will be planned for regional and transboundary systems.
Objective
REXUS ambitious goal is to bring transformative change in the way our societies approach the Water Food Energy Climate Nexus. The project argues that this is possible only through the activation of inclusive nexus partnerships, the Learning & Action Alliances (LAAs). The objective is for the pilot case Alliances in Europe and Latin America to develop shared visions and adaptive Nexus Management Strategies that will meet the Nexus sectoral objectives as well as broader criteria, such as habitat protection.
In this context, LAAs will (a) co-produce new knowledge regarding Nexus interactions to inform the development of System Dynamics Models at suitable spatial and temporal scales and (b) explore multiple co-developed scenarios of demographic change, climate change, socio-environmental, economic incentivization and regulatory policies. Thus, SDM development is the means to (i) develop stakeholder platforms of trust, (ii) test the efficacy of integrated cross-sectoral policies, and (iii) build legitimacy for evidence-based decisions towards sustainable transitions. SDMs will inform climate risks assessments for combined-resource-management strategies by capturing the cascading effects among Nexus domains.
The pilot cases will be the test-beds for the integration of methods, such as thematic biophysical modelling using Earth Observation, environmental cost valuations, natural capital and carbon accounting to explore case-specific challenges (including greening the CAP). In response to these challenges, Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures will be planned for these regional and transboundary systems.
On a policy level, for the first time, REXUS will explore the opportunity to link Climate Adaptation (i.e. the Paris Agreement framework) to Nexus management as a means to push forward the Nexus agenda. The approaches above will support REXUS’ vision for Nexus systems that are managed within renewable natural resource constraints and in appreciation of climate feedbacks.
The REXUS consortium is not meant to take side in the ongoing political discussions in the different pilot areas and the scope of the project activities is not intended to review and/or question any international or other form of agreement among the counties involved.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.5. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.5.1. - Fighting and adapting to climate change
- H2020-EU.3.5.2. - Protection of the environment, sustainable management of natural resources, water, biodiversity and ecosystems
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
13071 Ciudad Real
Spain
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Participants (18)
CB2 1TN Cambridge
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54655 Thessaloniki
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
CB3 0DL Cambridge
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
00185 Roma
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763537 Palmira
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2629 HV Delft
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35122 Padova
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50018 Zaragoza
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28232 Las Rozas De Madrid
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
35131 Padova
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
02007 Albacete
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30121 Venezia
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11145 Athina
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024053 Bucharest
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050881 Bucuresti
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10556 Athina
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104 42 ATHINA
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5000 Nova Gorica
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.