Sustainable and integrated management of water, energy, food, and ecosystems requires a coordinated and cross-sectoral approach to manage trade-offs and maximize synergies among these deeply interconnected resources. This line of action is called the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus approach. This 5-day course provides an overview of WEFE nexus concepts, issues, and approaches to develop the capacities of early- to mid-career professionals in any WEFE or WEFE-adjacent sector, to foster the integrated, equitable, and sustainable management of WEFE resources. This course was co-developed under the umbrella of the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains by the Center for Water Resources Studies (CWRS), Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, in partnership with the Alliance of Bioversity international and CIAT, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). It includes theory as well as practical applications and interactive elements.

Sustainable and integrated management of water, energy, food, and ecosystems requires a coordinated and cross-sectoral approach to manage trade-offs and maximize synergies among these deeply interconnected resources. This line of thinking and action is called the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus approach. This academic course provides an overview of WEFE nexus concepts, issues, and approaches to develop the capacities of graduate students studying in any WEFE or WEFE-adjacent sector. The aim is to prepare future leaders in this area to foster the integrated, equitable, and sustainable management of WEFE resources. This course was co-developed under the umbrella of the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains by the Center for Water Resources Studies (CWRS), Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, in partnership with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). It includes theory as well as practical applications and interactive elements.

This position paper advocates for the integration of the water, energy, food and ecosystem (WEFE) nexus approach into Nepal’s policy and planning processes. By doing so, it aspires to foster a development trajectory that is sustainable, inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of all citizens, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized groups, against a backdrop of accelerating climate change and resource interdependencies. The main contents of the paper are summarized below. Understanding the WEFE nexus: The WEFE nexus represents a holistic approach to managing interconnected natural resources essential for human well-being and environmental sustainability. This approach involves the management of water, energy, food and ecosystems in an integrated manner to enhance security and efficiency across these sectors. It aims to increase resource efficiency, minimize trade-offs, bolster synergies and improve governance, keeping in view the interdependencies of these sectors. It emphasizes a shift from a focus on particular resources to a systems perspective that prioritizes comprehensive resource security and environmental protection. It advocates for people-centric solutions that are driven by demand-led technological and market innovations. Nexus thinking is essential to balance competing interests in the water, energy and food sectors while maintaining ecosystem health. In Nepal’s context, the integration of the political and social dimensions of the WEFE nexus determines who controls and accesses natural resources. The WEFE nexus approach, integrated with gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and livelihood considerations, is vital to supporting the economically poor and socially marginalized sections in Nepal who are reliant on natural resources. Importance of the WEFE nexus approach in Nepal: In Nepal, the concept of the WEFE nexus is in its developmental stage but is highly pertinent due to worrying trends that are adversely affecting human well-being and the environment. Nepal faces varied challenges, including water scarcity, unpredictable and extreme environmental events and rising demand for energy and food, all of which underscore the need for a strategic and integrated approach to resource management. This paper argues that the WEFE nexus approach is imperative for Nepal, for several reasons. These include the interconnectedness of resource systems and recognizing and managing the interdependencies among water, energy, food and ecosystems; Nepal’s climate change vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience against climate-induced risks; global commitments in alignment with international obligations and sustainable development goals (SDGs); resource governance and achieving equitable and efficient resource management; and cross-sectoral climate impacts, and hence the need to address the comprehensive effects of climate change on resources. Essentially, the WEFE nexus needs to be promoted in national policies, plans and strategies to ensure sustainable development. Purpose and rationale of this position paper: This position paper seeks to provide a roadmap for all stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and international development partners, by (i) offering a critical overview of the WEFE nexus approach; (ii) proposing a practical WEFE framework tailored for Nepal, considering GESI and livelihood perspectives; and (iii) suggesting strategies for improved governance through enhanced coordination and collaboration between different sectors, thereby optimizing resource use and conserving ecosystems. Nepal’s political, economic and social context: Nepal’s transition to a federal polity has introduced and accompanied a number of significant shifts in the socio-economic context that impact the WEFE sectors. These shifts include demographic, social and economic changes; urbanization; migration; and societal challenges such as youth unemployment, gender inequality and social exclusion. These elements form the backdrop against which the WEFE sectors operate, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of their interconnections and effects. WEFE policies and institutional context in Nepal: For Nepal to effectively implement the WEFE nexus approach, there is a need for improved policy coherence, inter-sectoral collaboration mainly between the WEFE sectors and a commitment by all stakeholders to integrating GESI considerations in their activities. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including policymakers, development partners and the community at large. The recognition of the WEFE nexus within Nepal’s policy and legal frameworks is an ongoing process. Despite policy commitments and some progress in integrated approaches, varied challenges persist due to fragmentation and compartmentalization of the management of natural resources and disconnected policies in water, energy, food and forest resources. The lack of synergy, collaboration and adequate investment further complicates the execution of nexus-oriented programs.

The burgeoning food-water-energy (FWE) nexus discussion for sustainable development reflects the ongoing transition from a silo-thinking to a transdisciplinary perspective in order to address challenges of the nexus practicability in real-world. Approaches to putting the FWE nexus into practice have failed to respond to the interdependent issues of resources appropriately and to devise the way societies are coordinated for such responses. Societies are critically important for advancing sustainable development and are thus placed at the center of the FWE nexus. Transdisciplinarity allows challenges to be framed and viable solutions to be found at the outset in an extensive and equal contribution of societies. This paper provides a systematic literature review to debate the current concepts and methods of the transdisciplinary research on the FWE nexus with the aim of developing a guide for socially inclusive sustainable development. Although the concept of transdisciplinarity has been widely accepted by nexus research, an explicit cognition of its practicability in real-world is still lacking, and sophisticated methodological development is required. As such, we proposed a conceptual framework to explore the potential contribution of transdisciplinarity towards linking FWE nexus practices and sustainability outcomes in real-world situations. This framework is useful in steering the management of nexus issues with integrative perspectives. Relying on the proposed framework, we made recommendations for successful transdisciplinary nexus practices. The future nexus research should be directed towards communication mechanisms and governance transition for balanced power relations among nexus actors, their representative selection, and timely involvement.

Currently metrics for assessing digital inclusivity focus on evaluating the outcomes of digital innovation rather than the process of developing such innovations. Digital inclusivity has five different dimensions, spanning both technical and social aspects, and therefore requires a holistic approach to attain. We propose a digital inclusivity index as a holistic and standard guideline for enabling digital inclusivity in food land and water systems. Since formal research and development is skewed towards the Global North, such an index may embody the perspectives and interests of organisations based in the Global North, and will therefore require testing, validation and co-development with stakeholders based in the Global South.

Despite evidence of women’s roles and expertise in the management of water, energy, food, and the environment (WEFE), the WEFE literature is almost silent on gender issues. In the context of climate change, achieving more inclusive management of natural resources is vital; yet women continue to be underrepresented as professionals in WEFE sectors, and largely absent in leadership positions. Using Nepal as a case study, this paper explores the enduring barriers to their exclusion, and entry points for greater equity among professionals in these sectors. To do so, we draw on key informant interviews with 34 male and 31 women professionals from government, civil society, non-governmental organizations and consultants, as well as a roundtable discussion with 20 women professionals specifically focused on gender barriers in these sectors in Nepal. Drawing on Gaventa (2006)’s power cube, this paper examines how power dynamics within and between the public and the private spheres create a web of barriers that conflate to sideline women professionals. While women have reached the “closed space” as defined by Gaventa (i.e., are recruited to professional positions in WEFE sectors), different sources of “hidden” and “invisible” power at play in the public and private spheres continue to limit their participation, influence and decision-making. We argue that the continued marginalization of women professionals calls for a focus on understanding the power and intersectionality dynamics that sustain exclusion. This focus is critical for the development of strategies to increase the voice and leadership of women professionals in WEFE decision-making.

Despite evidence of women’s roles and expertise in the management of water, energy, food, and the environment (WEFE), the WEFE literature is almost silent on gender issues. In the context of climate change, achieving more inclusive management of natural resources is vital; yet women continue to be underrepresented as professionals in WEFE sectors, and largely absent in leadership positions. Using Nepal as a case study, this paper explores the enduring barriers to their exclusion, and entry points for greater equity among professionals in these sectors. To do so, we draw on key informant interviews with 34 male and 31 women professionals from government, civil society, non-governmental organizations and consultants, as well as a roundtable discussion with 20 women professionals specifically focused on gender barriers in these sectors in Nepal. Drawing on Gaventa (2006)’s power cube, this paper examines how power dynamics within and between the public and the private spheres create a web of barriers that conflate to sideline women professionals. While women have reached the “closed space” as defined by Gaventa (i.e., are recruited to professional positions in WEFE sectors), different sources of “hidden” and “invisible” power at play in the public and private spheres continue to limit their participation, influence and decision-making. We argue that the continued marginalization of women professionals calls for a focus on understanding the power and intersectionality dynamics that sustain exclusion. This focus is critical for the development of strategies to increase the voice and leadership of women professionals in WEFE decision-making.

In what is proclaimed as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, digital innovation is thought to have the potential to provide solutions to key challenges facing food production and consumption together with the support of sustainability of the underpinning support of land, and water systems. Nowhere is this more the case in less-industrialised countries, which largely have agrarian based economies. Applications of digital innovations include faster and more reliable communication, better collection, analysis, and storage of data, enhancing democratic processes and transparency in governance, affordable financial services and can provide the basis for decision support. However, there is a risk that people with less formal education and skills and little resource endowments as well as particular groups of people such as women will be excluded from participating or benefiting from digital innovation, the so-called digital divide. In addition, there is a risk that people, communities, and societies may be disadvantaged or harmed by digital innovation processes. Digital inclusivity within food, land and water systems are approaches in digital innovation need to include the differing needs and resources of men, women, youth, indigenous communities who produce most the world’s food in smallholder land holdings. Here we provide the state-of-the-art evidence from peer reviewed literature and other literature in support of these statements. On the basis of this and our wider anecdotal experience we present, a holistic multi-dimensional framework for digital inclusivity. The aim of the digital inclusivity index (and supporting tools) is to provide a resource to guide to transform and change development and application of digital innovations. Specifically, it provides governments, funders, researchers, and development agencies a framework on how to assess, minimise and lessen exclusion from digital innovation. This is achieved through increasing awareness of the characteristics of digital exclusion, recognising the needs of the actors that they target with digital interventions which are more inclusive, making interventions more participatory and mitigating any potential harm that can be caused by digital innovation. We also argue that the approach to digital innovation needs to be set within the context of a wide ranging ‘digital ecosystem’ where different actors contribute knowledge and resources, and digital innovation goes beyond the adoption and use of technologies to include changes in preexisting social arrangement and institutions.

Food, land, and water (FLW) systems are closely interlinked; actions in one system often impact the others. Enhancing the sustainability of these interconnected systems is crucial for advancing food security, sustainable livelihoods, rural development, environmental health, and climate resilience. Recognising these interlinkages, India is making significant policy efforts to achieve environmental, economic, and social well-being (PIB 2024a). However, the complexity and evolving nature of these interlinkages necessitate coherent policy efforts (CEEW and IWMI 2023). Policy coherence involves improving institutional coordination, leveraging policy synergies, and addressing trade-offs. It also entails enabling the convergence of resources and ensuring flexibility and adaptability to changes. Policy coherence promotes the inclusion of vulnerable groups, thereby advancing social inclusion and economic empowerment (CEEW and IWMI 2023). Therefore, it is critical for advancing national goals and unlocking opportunities to achieve global sustainable development targets. This report is part of a larger study examining policy coherence with regards to FLW systems in India at both the national and sub-national levels. The national-level study was guided by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, the apex public policy think-tank of the Government of India. The study yielded three important findings. First, it identified the most relevant national policies within the FLW policy landscape. Second, it highlighted the best practices and key lessons for achieving policy coherence across these policies. Third, it underscored the importance of implementing policy coherence in FLW systems at the state level, which is an important governance level for policy implementation. To drive meaningful progress at the sub-national level, it is essential to ensure policy coherence that aligns sub-national targets with broader national and global goals, such as the SDGs (UNSSC 2022, OECD n.d.a). Odisha is known for its emphasis on scientific, evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development, and convergent efforts. This study aims to better understand state-specific best practices and key lessons for improving policy coherence among Odisha’s most relevant policies on FLW systems. The study also offers actionable recommendations for enhancing policy coherence.