Understanding „the nexus“ in the MENA region

Holger Hoff

Stockholm Environment Institute

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Beirut, 22 January 2013

Why a nexus approach?

„Resource squeeze“ increasing demand overexploitation degradation climate change

-> business as usual is not an option need for innovations to: increase resource use efficiencies reduce environmental pressures and support a green economy

What is a nexus approach?

General principles:generating synergies, reducing negative externalities,negotiating tradeoffs,and strengthening resilience – robust adaptation, transformation

- integrated water resource management (IWRM)- integrated coastal zone management- landscape approach- ecosystem based approach- multi-functional systems- etc.

The nexus approach doesn‘t start from one particular sector, but provides a level playing field and platform across sectors

What‘s new ?

Nexus scheme

water land

energy

import dependency

CO2 emissions

water, energy &

foodsecurity

buildingresilience

pollutionflooding

erosion, biodiversity loss

a nexus approach for reducing negative externalities

& generating co-benefits

water storage

carbon storage

bioenergysolar desal

Nexus implementation – building blocks

3) economic cost-benefits analysis additional transaction costs vs. efficiency gains & economic incentives e.g. REDD+, PES

1) nexus baseline assessment: data harmonization, compilation, and exchange across sectors

5) strengthening „bridging institutions“

4) communication across sectors, e.g. via nexus platform

e.g. River Basin Authority, inter-ministerial committee….

2) integrated (participatory) scenario analysis: nexus tools

6) making a case for implementation

demonstrating win-win opportunities / benefits / tradeoffs across sectors

example: Blue Nile / Lake Tana nexus assessment

food production energy generation

lake level discharge reduction

Nexus tools

used in National Communications to UNFCCC

used in National Water Sector Strategy

Nexus tools

How to apply the nexus concept ?

e.g.

soil and water conservation or conservation agriculturefor improved soil water productivity, reduced irrigation demand,climate mitigation / adaptation / resilience

climate-safe and water-smart land use (and urban) planningaccounting for change in precipitation, sea level rise etc.

adding energy to the equation:e.g. improving energy efficiency in agriculture (pumping)moving towards renewable energyenergy recovery from wastewater treatment

„seeing is believing“ – a nexus case study at the farm level

A nexus case study from Jordan

problem: rapid aquifer depletion for irrigation and urban demands

solar farming (photovoltaics) as income alternative for local farmers

reducing water demand ANDfossil fuel demand for pumping

climate change mitigation / adaptation /increased drought resilience

participatory process through the Highland Water Forum

Solar energy farming in the Azraq Basin

ACCWaM

Storage – a nexus solution (?)

Water storage

Energy storage

Food storage

bridging spatio-temporal variability:seasonal precipitation (and quick runoff)variability in wind, solar insolation, hydropoweror population concentrations

Water storage – a wide spectrum

McCartney 2010

multi-functional reservoirs for hydropower and irrigation

Storage – a nexus solution (?)

hill water storage allowing gravity water feeding –> reduced energy demand

groundwater storage possibly also for reducing seawater intrusion and subsequent loss of agricultural productivity

improved soil water storage, reduced irrigation demand, and co-benefits in land productivity

Sivakumar et al. 2013

Lebanon is still in a relatively good position (in MENA)

forest cover….

Economic Water Productivity, World Bank 2011

Lebanon is still in a relatively good position (in MENA)

poverty….

use that for pro-actively addressing critical trends, as an alternative to more costly re-active or emergeny measures

start from win-wins (e.g. wastewater treatment and energy recovery)

search for innovations (e.g. solar farming, solar desalination)

strengthen diversity (e.g. in storage)

build on existing initiatives and tools (e.g. Strategic Env. Asssessments)

coordinate across sectors and promote bridging institutions (e.g. CCCU)

use and add value to opportunities („mainstreaming“)

integrate science (e.g. LARI, CNRS)

Lebanon is still in a relatively good position (in MENA)