Water-Energy-Food Nexus Review for Biofuels Assessment

Journal article

Authors/Editors

Strategic Research Themes

Sustainable environmental technology (Sustainable Energy & Environment)

Publication Details

Author list: Gazal A.A., Jakrawatana N., Silalertruksa T., Gheewala S.H.

Publisher: Universitas Diponegoro

Publication year: 2022

Journal acronym: IJRED

Volume number: 11

Issue number: 1

Start page: 193

End page: 205

Number of pages: 13

ISSN: 22524940

eISSN: 2252-4940

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85123206838&doi=10.14710%2fIJRED.2022.41119&partnerID=40&md5=065bea075a8df4d615b58beb74942018

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

The appropriate use of limited natural resources for generating basic human needs such as energy, food, and water, is essential to help the society function efficiently. Hence, a new approach called nexus is being considered to resolve the effects of intrinsic trade-offs between the essential needs. A review of different methods and frameworks of the water-energy-food nexus was done in this article to give a detailed repository of information on existing approaches and advocate the development of a more holistic quantitative nexus method. Assessing biofuels under the water-energy-food nexus perspective, this review addresses the sustainability of bioenergy production. The results show the countries that can sustainably produce first-generation biofuels. Only a few methods have varied interdisciplinary procedures to analyse the nexus, and more analytical software and data on resource availability/use are needed to address trade-offs between these interacting resource sectors constituting the nexus. Also, “land” is suggested as an additional sector to consider in future studies using both the nexus index and life cycle assessment methodology. The review reveals that to tackle composite challenges related to resource management, cross-disciplinary methods are essential to integrate environmental, socio-political facets of water, energy, and food; employ collaborative frameworks; and seek the engagement of decision-makers. © 2022. The Authors.

Keywords

Bioenergy, Framework