Putting Water and Energy at the Heart of Sustainable Development
Date
2015
Authors
Schuster Wallace, Corinne
Qadir, Manzoor
Adeel, Zafar
Renaud, Fabrice G.
Dickin, Sarah K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNU-INWEH
ORCID
Type
Technical Report
Degree Level
Abstract
Water for energy; energy for water — as independent sectors and through their inextricable linkages, water and energy are key drivers of economic growth and social development. Benefits include poverty reduction, improvements in health and education, and a reduction in inequalities. Together, water and energy can promote stable societies and human dignity as well as realize basic human rights.
Optimizing performance within the Water-Energy Nexus can increase energy efficiency, decrease water pollution, reduce costs of energy and water provision, increase access to services, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The effective deployment of renewable energy resources around the world can be a stabilizing driver within the context of fossil fuel availability and climate change. Hydropower, as a renewable and stable energy source is the epitome of nexus thinking, yet requires stable water supplies.
Significant advances are required in policy, research, and practice to realize the nexus. The global challenges of climate change and food security create points of tension in the water-energy nexus which will have to be overcome in order to achieve development synergies. These challenges are exacerbated by population growth and urbanization, which create a dynamic baseline against which to address service access. In addition to some tensions in the nexus, the water and energy sectors are currently asymmetrical with respect to size and scale, and are often in competition with each other for capital investments and development resources.
Diversification of energy sources and decentralization of water and wastewater services require policy prioritization, technology mobilization, and investment shifts. Economic tools, such as pricing, subsidies, and other incentives can motivate decentralized renewable energy generation. The private sector is an essential partner in the water-energy nexus and needs to be supported by an integrated and coherent policy approach — one that would enhance in- and cross-sector efficiencies and improve sector interfaces. New technology development must be supported and incubated, especially to address emerging challenges at the water-energy nexus. However, technology is only part of sustainable solutions; changing public opinion and behaviour is essential for long-term uptake. A dedicated water goal in the post-2015 development agenda, with key interlinked targets in the energy goal, is essential to achieving a sustainable future. The nexus will only be realized through capital mobilization around an integrated development agenda and synergistic actions. Once mobilized, sustained success will require joint accountability.
Description
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/
Keywords
Water-Energy Nexus, Diversification and decentralization, Economic tools, renewable energy resources
Citation
Schuster-Wallace C.J., Qadir M., Adeel Z., Renaud F., Dickin S.K. (2015) Putting Water and Energy at the Heart of Sustainable Development. United Nations University (UNU). Available from: http://inweh.unu.edu