Your search found 8 records
1 Shah, S. A. R.; Naqvi, S. A. A.; Nasreen, S.; Abbas, N. 2021. Associating drivers of economic development with environmental degradation: fresh evidence from western Asia and North African Region. Ecological Indicators, 126:107638. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107638]
Environmental degradation ; Economic development ; Economic growth ; Ecological footprint ; Carbon ; Emission ; Biomass ; Energy consumption ; Renewable energy ; Sustainability ; Policies / Western Asia / North Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050403)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X21003034/pdfft?md5=2592df6880af1c6b1c3bba5d78f9b259&pid=1-s2.0-S1470160X21003034-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050403.pdf
(1.74 MB) (1.74 MB)
This study quantifies the Environment Kuznets curve's validity against two different environment proxies, the ecological footprint and carbon emissions for selected seventeen Western Asia and North African countries over the period 1980 to 2017. The study employs the Interactive Fixed Effect (IFE) and Dynamic Common Correlated Effect (D-CCE) to quantify the long-run association among variables in a multiplicative framework. The empirical outcomes indicate that the inverted U-shaped hypothesis is not valid for carbon emission; however, it holds for ecological footprint. The results show that energy intensity and financial development are environment-friendly indicators. Likewise, biomass energy consumption exposes a negative and statistically significant influence on proxies of environmental degradation. Causality findings reveal bidirectional causal links between economic development and its square to emission, biomass energy consumption, and financial development; also, bidirectional causality has been observed from energy intensity to biomass energy in the first model. Moreover, for the second model, causality has been seen from biomass energy consumption, economic development, and its square to ecological footprint, keeping the same two-way relationship among explanatory variables as in the first model. Policymakers should focus on the policy options to increase energy efficiency to get a clean environment.
2 Hametner, M. 2022. Economics without ecology: how the SDGs fail to align socioeconomic development with environmental sustainability. Ecological Economics, 199:107490. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107490]
Sustainable Development Goals ; Socioeconomic development ; Environmental sustainability ; Indicators ; Ecological footprint ; Environmental degradation ; Biodiversity ; European Union countries
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051251)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800922001525/pdfft?md5=f963430548a30c373b848e7100006b07&pid=1-s2.0-S0921800922001525-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051251.pdf
(2.63 MB) (2.63 MB)
Science is increasingly warning that the Earth, as a result of human activity, is currently on a trajectory towards environmental collapse. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by UN member states in 2015 as a means to reconcile human activity with planetary boundaries, allowing humanity to thrive while safeguarding Earth's life support. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the SDGs so far have lived up to their promise. Using Eurostat's SDG indicator set, the study calculates temporal progress measures of socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability for the European Union (EU) member states. To validate the findings, the two progress measures are compared with changes in the human development index (HDI) and the ecological footprint (EF). The study's results show that over the past five years of available data, most EU member states have seen socioeconomic progress combined with environmental degradation. The trends in the HDI and the EF corroborate this finding, suggesting that the trade-off between socioeconomic activity and environmental preservation continues to exist. SDG implementation should consequently put a stronger focus on the environmental dimension, to ensure that the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda's socioeconomic objectives does not undermine the ecosystem services humanity depends on.
3 Crona, B. I.; Wassenius, E.; Jonell, M.; Koehn, J. Z.; Short, R.; Tigchelaar, M.; Daw, T. M.; Golden, C. D.; Gephart, J. A.; Allison, E. H.; Bush, S. R.; Cao, L.; Cheung, W. W. L.; DeClerck, F.; Fanzo, J.; Gelcich, S.; Kishore, A.; Halpern, B. S.; Hicks, C. C.; Leape, J. P.; Little, D. C.; Micheli, F.; Naylor, R. L.; Phillips, M.; Selig, E. R.; Springmann, M.; Sumaila, U. R.; Troell, M.; Thilsted, S. H.; Wabnitz, C. C. C. 2023. Four ways blue foods can help achieve food system ambitions across nations. Nature, 25p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05737-x]
Food systems ; Ecological footprint ; Livelihoods ; Environmental impact ; Food policies ; Resilience ; Greenhouse gases ; Food production ; Food security
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051782)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05737-x.pdf?pdf=button%20sticky
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051782.pdf
(9.75 MB) (9.75 MB)
Blue foods, sourced in aquatic environments, are important for the economies, livelihoods, nutritional security and cultures of people in many nations. They are often nutrient rich1, generate lower emissions and impacts on land and water than many terrestrial meats2, and contribute to the health3, wellbeing and livelihoods of many rural communities4. The Blue Food Assessment recently evaluated nutritional, environmental, economic and justice dimensions of blue foods globally. Here we integrate these findings and translate them into four policy objectives to help realize the contributions that blue foods can make to national food systems around the world: ensuring supplies of critical nutrients, providing healthy alternatives to terrestrial meat, reducing dietary environmental footprints and safeguarding blue food contributions to nutrition, just economies and livelihoods under a changing climate. To account for how context-specific environmental, socio-economic and cultural aspects affect this contribution, we assess the relevance of each policy objective for individual countries, and examine associated co-benefits and trade-offs at national and international scales. We find that in many African and South American nations, facilitating consumption of culturally relevant blue food, especially among nutritionally vulnerable population segments, could address vitamin B12 and omega-3 deficiencies. Meanwhile, in many global North nations, cardiovascular disease rates and large greenhouse gas footprints from ruminant meat intake could be lowered through moderate consumption of seafood with low environmental impact. The analytical framework we provide also identifies countries with high future risk, for whom climate adaptation of blue food systems will be particularly important. Overall the framework helps decision makers to assess the blue food policy objectives most relevant to their geographies, and to compare and contrast the benefits and trade-offs associated with pursuing these objectives.
4 Meng, F.; Yuan, Q.; Bellezoni, R. A.; de Oliveira, J. A. P.; Hu, Y.; Jing, R.; Liu, G.; Yang, Z.; Seto, K. C. 2023. The food-water-energy nexus and green roofs in Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil, and Johannesburg, South Africa. npj Urban Sustainability, 3:12. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-023-00091-3]
Energy consumption ; Energy demand ; Water conservation ; Food security ; Food production ; Nexus approaches ; Sustainability ; Rainwater harvesting ; Environmental impact ; Ecological footprint ; Urban areas ; Carbon footprint ; Water footprint ; Transboundary waters ; Infrastructure / Brazil / South Africa / Sao Jose dos Campos / Johannesburg
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051940)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-023-00091-3.pdf?pdf=button%20sticky
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051940.pdf
(2.52 MB) (2.52 MB)
Green roofs affect the urban food-water-energy nexus and have the potential to contribute to sustainability. Here we developed a generalizable methodology and framework for data-sparse cities to analyze the food-water-energy nexus of green roofs. Our framework integrates the environmental costs and benefits of green roofs with food-water-energy systems and makes it possible to trace energy-water-carbon footprints across city boundaries. Testing the framework in São José dos Campos (SJC), Brazil and Johannesburg, South Africa, we found that green roofs are essentially carbon neutral and net energy consumers from a life cycle perspective. SJC is a net water beneficiary while Johannesburg is a net water consumer. Rainwater utilization could save irrigated water, but requires 1.2 times more energy consumption. Our results show that SJC and Johannesburg could direct their green roof development from local food production and energy saving, respectively and highlight opportunities for green roof practices in cities.
5 Li, B.; Zhang, W.; Long, J.; Chen, M.; Nie, J.; Liu, P. 2023. Regional water resources security assessment and optimization path analysis in karst areas based on emergy ecological footprint. Applied Water Science, 13(6):142. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-023-01951-0]
Water resources ; Ecological footprint ; Water security ; Sustainable development ; Karst ; Economic development / China / Anshun
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051944)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s13201-023-01951-0.pdf?pdf=button
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051944.pdf
(1.19 MB) (1.19 MB)
With the continuous growth of the world's social economy and population, problems such as water shortage and water environment deterioration need to be solved urgently. Combining the emergy carrying capacity of water resources and the emergy ecological footprint method, the water security and sustainable development status of the typical city in the karst region (Anshun City) was evaluated, and the internal driving factors and optimization suggestions were discussed. The research results of water security in Anshun City show that: The water resources carrying capacity fluctuates greatly with rainfall and is generally in a low-level surplus state. The ecological pressure index and the sustainable utilization index show a downward trend. The pressure intensity of social and economic systems on water resources is increasing, and the sustainable development of water resources is not optimistic. Water resources security is mainly affected by natural ecological mechanisms centered on mountain systems, geological structures and hydrological systems, as well as social mechanisms centered on changes in population scale, land development and utilization, and urban development. In the future, the sustainable development of water resources can be promoted by changing the mode of economic development, optimizing the allocation of water resources, and protecting the ecological environment.
6 Sanchez-Zarco, X. G.; Ponce-Ortega, J. M. 2023. Water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus: an optimization approach incorporating life cycle, security and sustainability assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 414:137534. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137534]
Energy ; Food security ; Food production ; Ecosystems ; Water extraction ; Nexus approaches ; Life cycle ; Sustainability ; Assessment ; Optimization methods ; Indicators ; Mathematical models ; Sustainable development ; Circular economy ; Ecological footprint ; Human health ; Fossil fuels ; Case studies / Mexico / Nuevo Leon
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052134)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052134.pdf
(8.54 MB)
Nowadays, ecosystem damages limit sustainable development, which is exacerbated by the scarcity and high demand for resources such as water, energy and food. Therefore, this paper presents a new integrated circular economy approach to optimize the generation, use, and distribution of resources in a given region that takes into account the environmental footprint while considering the net social benefit. Multiple objectives, such as nexus security and environmental damage, are prioritized in terms of three categories: human health, ecosystem quality and resource depletion. The optimization model includes the life cycle analysis for each technology or extraction source with the eco-indicator 99 methodology throughout the supply chain. The determinant variables identified were water availability, renewable energy production and local food production. The food sector is described as promoting the use of hydroponic technologies, animal carrying capacity, and aquaculture activities. An area of Mexico was considered as a case study, considering domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities. The analysis of the variables of interest was carried out using different groups, identifying 7 attractive optimal scenarios. A direct proportion is observed between the security of the water-energy-food nexus and the associated economic profits, while the life cycle assessment fluctuates with the use of services. The results show the satisfaction of the demand for water, energy, and food, highlighting the vulnerability of the food sector concerning the net objectives by including unconventional techniques to provide healthy diets. Food accounts for 76–94% of the total damage caused, where each type of food is analyzed according to the excess energy needed to obtain in the future, the change in biodiversity, and the disability-adjusted life years, having as a reference the main diseases that cause death in Mexico.
7 Haddad, B. M.; Solomon, B. D. 2024. Ecological economics as the science of sustainability and transformation: integrating entropy, sustainable scale, and justice. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, 3(2):e0000098. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000098]
Ecological footprint ; Economics ; Economic activities ; Economic growth ; Natural capital ; Sustainability ; Justice ; Transformation ; Entropy
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052624)
https://journals.plos.org/sustainabilitytransformation/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pstr.0000098&type=printable
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052624.pdf
(0.82 MB) (844 KB)
Ecological economics, developed in the late 1980s, came to be known as the multi- and transdisciplinary science of sustainability. Since that time, it has blended basic and applied research with the intention of both informing and bringing change to environmental policy, governance, and society. However, many conventional economists have questioned its originality and contributions. This paper begins by clarifying the foundational perspectives of ecological economics that it engages an economy embedded in both real and limited ecosystems as well as socially constructed power relations. Herman Daly, a founder of the field, expanded on Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen’s entropy economics by focusing on a quantifiable sustainable scale of the economy and achieving justice in the control and distribution of economic benefits. He called for both quantitative analyses of economic scale and discursive approaches to a just distribution. The paper then discusses how the terms entropy, scale, and justice are used and interact in the literature, illustrated by some of the key debates in the field involving the Ecological Footprint, substitutability of natural and manufactured capital, and the growth—“agrowth”—degrowth debate. The debates also illustrate the potential for the field to influence policy. Ecological economics as the science of both sustainability and transformation can deploy numerous concepts and tools to provide insights on how to illuminate and solve some of the most pressing problems of the Anthropocene.
8 Musetsho, K. D.; Mwendera, E.; Madzivhandila, T.; Makungo, R.; Volenzo, T. E.; Mamphweli, N. S.; Nephawe, K. A. 2024. Assessing and mapping water-energy-food nexus smart innovations and practices in Vhembe District municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Frontiers in Water, 6:1253921. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1253921]
Innovation ; Nexus approaches ; Water resources ; Food security ; Energy ; Solar energy ; Renewable energy ; Households ; Sustainability ; Governance ; Indigenous Peoples' knowledge ; Ecological footprint ; Recycling ; Socioeconomic aspects / South Africa / Limpopo Province / Vhembe District
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052738)
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/water/articles/10.3389/frwa.2024.1253921/pdf?isPublishedV2=false
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052738.pdf
(0.65 MB) (664 KB)
Water, energy, and food and their interactions (commonly referred to as the WEF nexus) are critical pillars to resolving the intractable global challenges such as poverty, hunger, malnutrition, poor sanitation, climate, and health crises. The nexus approach, practices, and innovations at the household level are critical determinants of whether resource use efficiency, co-benefits, basic rights to water and food, and sustainability governance are attained. In particular, smart WEF innovations can contribute to the current generations' economic, social, and environmental needs without compromising the needs of the future generation. The study aimed to identify smart innovations, practices, and factors influencing their adoption to inform policy and decision-making processes. The study intends to support scaling up the adoption of innovations and practices that enhance sustainability and resource security in support of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews (KII) supplemented with observational checklists were used to identify the WEF nexus smart technologies, innovations, and practices in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data were collected from a sample size of 128 households in the study area. Our findings revealed synergistic smart innovation practices across WEF resource use and management practices. Though indigenous knowledge (IK) practices were widely evident in the study area, non-existent WEF smart knowledge support systems existed in the study area. Indigenous knowledge practices were the most elicited innovation by 99.2% of households, suggesting it is critical to advancing WEF smart innovations and practices and needs to be integrated into any policy and governance interventions. A proportion of households recycle water (27%), whilst 53% use untreated water. Furthermore, the knowledge systems on smart WEF innovations were fragmented despite their potential to synergize sustainability objectives. Exploring innovation platforms (IPs) as vehicles for dissemination, innovation, and extension and advisory service delivery, as well as validation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), has the potential to contribute to the diffusion, uptake, and scaling of existing innovation and practices with significant spill-over effects on WEF resource security and sustainability outcomes both at local and extra local scales.
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