Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEXOGENESIS (Facilitating the next generation of effective and intelligent water-related policies utilising artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning to assess the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus)
Período documentado: 2021-09-01 hasta 2023-02-28
Water, energy, food, and ecosystems (WEFE) are connected. Managing the WEFE nexus is challenging due to complexity. Shifts in nexus are driven by biophysical and human conditions. To manage resources, policies must be designed coherently. Policy objectives tend to be developed with little consideration of other sectors. Policy implementation may change nexus characteristics. EU policies have been developed largely sectorally. There is opportunity to improve policy design based on research. A better understanding of policy impact on the WEFE nexus is required if synergy is to be achieved. Improved understanding will facilitate coherent water-related policy design to achieve resource use efficiency, leverage synergies, and promote cooperation. The problem is: (i) a complex, poorly understood system; (b) the lack of ecosystem integration; (c) sectoral policy development; (d) a lack of understanding of policy impact.
Through five case studies and stakeholder engagement, NEXOGENESIS will improve policy making processes to enhance cooperation and help the EU achieve targets related to the WFD, the CAP, Green Deal ambitions, and ambitions on diplomacy. Outcomes will have impact on advancing nexus understanding and governance, resulting in a more innovative and competitive EU regarding nexus policy-making.
Objectives are to develop:
(a) a co-creation policy-making framework approach for WEFE nexus governance at different scales addressing climate and socio-economic change, stakeholder behaviour and transboundary issues;
(b) a Self-Learning Nexus Assessment Engine (SLNAE), supporting streamlining water-related policies into the WEFE nexus;
(c) a WEFE Nexus Footprint.
Through five case studies and stakeholder engagement, NEXOGENESIS will improve policy making processes to enhance cooperation and help the EU achieve targets related to the WFD, the CAP, Green Deal ambitions, and ambitions on diplomacy. Outcomes will have impact on advancing nexus understanding and governance, resulting in a more innovative and competitive EU regarding nexus policy-making.
Objectives are to develop:
(a) a co-creation policy-making framework approach for WEFE nexus governance at different scales addressing climate and socio-economic change, stakeholder behaviour and transboundary issues;
(b) a Self-Learning Nexus Assessment Engine (SLNAE), supporting streamlining water-related policies into the WEFE nexus;
(c) a WEFE Nexus Footprint.
WP1 co-designed a stakeholder co-creation approach for nexus governance. Governance assessment field work is completed, and results analysed. Fieldwork and policy analysis have been conducted. Fieldwork has led to increasing the number of stakeholders engaging in the project. Three-weekly consortium co-creation meetings are important for succesful implementation of work. WP1 has started stakeholder co-creation of nexus policies
A review of biophysical data has been conducted. Projections for biophysical variables have been generated. Data have been harmonized, having been selected following same scenarios. Preliminary socioeconomic results are developed. Generated results are projections over 40 years consisting of 64 production sectors. Results are presented at NUTS2 level. A feasibility study for the use of DEMETRA model for the Inkomati-Usuthu CS was conducted.
System dynamics modelling was selected as the modelling approach. Conceptual models have been completed. Using conceptual maps and stakeholder interaction, data have been highlighted. Conceptual maps aid development of the SDMs. Application of the WEFE footprint is essential, the main purpose of which is: i) a communication tool of the status of each WEFE sector; ii) to communicate the integration of sectors and conflicts that may exist; iii) to demonstrate how governance and policies can impact sustainability.
In WP4, 6 self-learning nexus assessment engine pillars established the basis of tool design. A protocol for the data lake has been proposed to coordinate the data repository, which has been provided to all partners. The development of the machine learning engine has started. Efforts have focused on the implementation of agents' training and validation pipelines.
A roadmap for case study activities and monitoring plan have been developed. An interal communication strategy is developed. Two CS interviews were organised with each CS. Eight meetings between were organised to discuss progress and next steps. A stakeholder register has been developed. WP5 has guided stakeholder engagement and co-creation. Two SH workshops were organised in each CS. WP5 has developed and distributed a questionnaire to evaluate stakeholder engagement processes.
A communication strategy has been formulated. Guidelines are developed on social media use. A visual identity is created. Word and PPT template were created. The website is developed. NEXOGENESIS has created three channels: LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Posters, flyers, factsheets, newsletter, etc., are developed. A dissemination strategy has been developed. NEXOGENESIS is clustered with H2020 GoNEXUS and REXUS. Partners are involved in COST NEXUSNET. NEXOGENESIS is a member of the EC Nexus Project Cluster and the ICT4Water Cluster. Project members are involved in H-EU ONEPlanET, and are involved in WEF-Tools.
Internal communication procedures have been organised. Meeting schedules for different management entities are prepared. The project kick-off meeting was held online over two days in September 2021. An project meeting was held in Riga, Latvia, September 2022. A meeting with EAB members was held online, February 2023. Reporting and communication takes place with the project officer, highlighting activities, news, and updates. Quality assurance procedures are established. Monitoring of scientific quality is continuous. KPIs are tracked by WP leads/GAC. An analysis of ethical issues has been carried out. The project risk table is regularly reviewed.
A review of biophysical data has been conducted. Projections for biophysical variables have been generated. Data have been harmonized, having been selected following same scenarios. Preliminary socioeconomic results are developed. Generated results are projections over 40 years consisting of 64 production sectors. Results are presented at NUTS2 level. A feasibility study for the use of DEMETRA model for the Inkomati-Usuthu CS was conducted.
System dynamics modelling was selected as the modelling approach. Conceptual models have been completed. Using conceptual maps and stakeholder interaction, data have been highlighted. Conceptual maps aid development of the SDMs. Application of the WEFE footprint is essential, the main purpose of which is: i) a communication tool of the status of each WEFE sector; ii) to communicate the integration of sectors and conflicts that may exist; iii) to demonstrate how governance and policies can impact sustainability.
In WP4, 6 self-learning nexus assessment engine pillars established the basis of tool design. A protocol for the data lake has been proposed to coordinate the data repository, which has been provided to all partners. The development of the machine learning engine has started. Efforts have focused on the implementation of agents' training and validation pipelines.
A roadmap for case study activities and monitoring plan have been developed. An interal communication strategy is developed. Two CS interviews were organised with each CS. Eight meetings between were organised to discuss progress and next steps. A stakeholder register has been developed. WP5 has guided stakeholder engagement and co-creation. Two SH workshops were organised in each CS. WP5 has developed and distributed a questionnaire to evaluate stakeholder engagement processes.
A communication strategy has been formulated. Guidelines are developed on social media use. A visual identity is created. Word and PPT template were created. The website is developed. NEXOGENESIS has created three channels: LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Posters, flyers, factsheets, newsletter, etc., are developed. A dissemination strategy has been developed. NEXOGENESIS is clustered with H2020 GoNEXUS and REXUS. Partners are involved in COST NEXUSNET. NEXOGENESIS is a member of the EC Nexus Project Cluster and the ICT4Water Cluster. Project members are involved in H-EU ONEPlanET, and are involved in WEF-Tools.
Internal communication procedures have been organised. Meeting schedules for different management entities are prepared. The project kick-off meeting was held online over two days in September 2021. An project meeting was held in Riga, Latvia, September 2022. A meeting with EAB members was held online, February 2023. Reporting and communication takes place with the project officer, highlighting activities, news, and updates. Quality assurance procedures are established. Monitoring of scientific quality is continuous. KPIs are tracked by WP leads/GAC. An analysis of ethical issues has been carried out. The project risk table is regularly reviewed.
WP1 develops a novel stakeholders’ cocreation approach to foster WEFE nexus governance providing stakeholders a tool to facilitate dialogue on resources management. The approach includes policy coherence, fit between nexus problems and the scales, actors, instruments that address them. Ecosystems are at the centre of the nexus. The approach is useful to assess barriers and leverages to nexus governance and policy, and to stimulate stakeholders to reconsider perspectives on resource management problems. This can support stakeholder toward WEFE nexus governance at a range of scales, across sector and stakeholder groups.
Projections and data are elaborated to effectively characterize interlinkages in the nexus and its response to policy. This framework is harmonized across case studies and can be expanded to characterize implementations at EU level and beyond.
WP3 advances understanding on the WEFE nexus, and improves understanding on the impact of policy implementation on the nexus, including how to select amongst policies. The integration of ecosystems is novel. Advances inform future efforts in this regard. The WEFE Nexus Footprint will summarise in critical messages of WEFE nexus system responses to changes imposed by policy actions.
The SLNAE will provide a holistic view of nexus interlinkages and trade-offs; enable a climate and policy impact analysis; provide intelligent policy assessment and policy packages definition; and promote best practices to achieve goals under different scenarios. Novel mechanisms contribute by enabling tools to run collaborative and competitive scenarios with different objectives.
WP5 will allow application to other contexts in Europe. Recommendations will cover gaps, inconsistencies and ambiguities, promote systems-thinking, and focus on smooth and efficient stakeholder engagement. Dissemination of outcomes represent an exemplar towards future sustainable development of river basins under the pressures of global change.
In WP6 raising awareness about the different WEFE related challenges is aiming at showcasing NEXOGENESIS solutions at a European level, and ensuring that solutions are exploitable after the project ends, and impact local and European policy through policy briefs.
Projections and data are elaborated to effectively characterize interlinkages in the nexus and its response to policy. This framework is harmonized across case studies and can be expanded to characterize implementations at EU level and beyond.
WP3 advances understanding on the WEFE nexus, and improves understanding on the impact of policy implementation on the nexus, including how to select amongst policies. The integration of ecosystems is novel. Advances inform future efforts in this regard. The WEFE Nexus Footprint will summarise in critical messages of WEFE nexus system responses to changes imposed by policy actions.
The SLNAE will provide a holistic view of nexus interlinkages and trade-offs; enable a climate and policy impact analysis; provide intelligent policy assessment and policy packages definition; and promote best practices to achieve goals under different scenarios. Novel mechanisms contribute by enabling tools to run collaborative and competitive scenarios with different objectives.
WP5 will allow application to other contexts in Europe. Recommendations will cover gaps, inconsistencies and ambiguities, promote systems-thinking, and focus on smooth and efficient stakeholder engagement. Dissemination of outcomes represent an exemplar towards future sustainable development of river basins under the pressures of global change.
In WP6 raising awareness about the different WEFE related challenges is aiming at showcasing NEXOGENESIS solutions at a European level, and ensuring that solutions are exploitable after the project ends, and impact local and European policy through policy briefs.