Article
Environmental Sciences
Amir Molajou, Abbas Afshar, Mina Khosravi, Elham Soleimanian, Masoud Vahabzadeh, Hossein Akbari Variani
Summary: In recent decades, global demands for freshwater, energy, and food have been influenced by population growth, economic development, international trade, and increasing urbanization and food diversity. The lack of integrated management strategies poses a threat to the security of these resources, while climate change exacerbates the adverse impacts. Therefore, understanding and studying the complex interactions and connections between these systems have become crucial.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Odi Fawwaz Alrebei, Tareq Al-Ansari, Mohammad S. Al-Kuwari, Abdulkarem Amhamed
Summary: Finding a balance between production capacity and increasing food demand is crucial for achieving food security. Decision-makers need to consider the interplay and trade-offs among energy, water, and food resources to achieve sustainable development on a national scale. This paper evaluates Qatar's Energy-Water-Food Nexus Profile by using past data trends to make future projections, and analyzes the correlations and required actions to achieve food self-sustainability.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Armengot, Maria J. Beltran, Monika Schneider, Xavier Simon, David Perez-Neira
Summary: This study evaluates the food-energy-water nexus (FEWn) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of four young cacao production systems, finding that agroforestry systems and organic management perform better in most indicators and impact categories. Results show that production diversification and organic management practices can improve energy efficiency, reduce water use, and improve environmental impacts.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zeinab Chamas, Majdi Abou Najm, Mahmoud Al-Hindi, Ali Yassine, Reem Khattar
Summary: The study highlights the complexity of interactions among key global resources like water, energy, and food (WEF) and how utilizing the nexus concept can improve efficiency and understanding of resource interlinkages. An optimization model presented in the study effectively manages and allocates water, energy, and food resources, providing valuable insights into the sensitivity of the WEF nexus to adopted strategies. The model serves as a powerful decision-making tool for policymakers to assess multiple sources within the WEF nexus and recommend optimal resource allocation under various constraints.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shibao Lu, Xiaoling Zhang, Huarong Peng, Martin Skitmore, Xiao Bai, Zhihong Zheng
Summary: Energy security, food security, and water security are the three most prominent problems in human survival and sustainable development. This study uses quantitative analysis to estimate the Central China region's energy-food production water footprint (WF) and virtual trade water flow, and proposes a Modified Water Stress Index (MWSI) associated with virtual water outflows. The results indicate that the energy and food production WF and virtual trade water flow are on the rise, causing water stress in local and export areas.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Torhan, C. A. Grady, I Ajibade, E. K. Galappaththi, R. R. Hernandez, J. Musah-Surugu, A. M. Nunbogu, A. C. Segnon, Y. Shang, N. Ulibarri, D. Campbell, E. T. Joe, J. Penuelas, J. Sardans, M. A. R. Shah
Summary: Food-energy-water systems are vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change risks. Adaptations to these vulnerabilities are occurring globally, with a focus on food security. There are interconnected relationships between different variables characterizing these adaptations. However, there is a need to consider interconnectivity and adopt a nexus approach in future adaptations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Luxon Nhamo, Tendai P. Chibarabada, Goden Mabaya, Sylvester Mpandeli, Stanley Liphadzi, Aidan Senzanje, Dhesigen Naidoo, Albert T. Modi, Pauline P. Chivenge
Summary: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the interconnectedness of human wellbeing, economic prosperity, and environmental health. This study uses South Africa as a case study to monitor and evaluate progress towards SDGs through a nexus planning model, highlighting pathways to ensure socio-ecological sustainability and environmental health. The linkages between SDGs and nexus planning provide decision support tools that drive resilience and sustainability by addressing cross-sectoral synergies and trade-offs.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rick J. Hogeboom, Bas W. Borsje, Mekdelawit M. Deribe, Freek D. van der Meer, Seyedabdolhossein Mehvar, Markus A. Meyer, Gul Ozerol, Arjen Y. Hoekstra, Andy D. Nelson
Summary: This paper reviews recent scientific publications at the intersection of resilience thinking and the water-energy-food nexus, examining the current status quo on the application of resilience thinking in WEF nexus studies, mapping the research landscape, and proposing a research agenda based on gaps in the current research. The paper identifies key conceptualizations of resilience and nexus framings used in studies, highlighting differences in scope, emphasis, integration level, and methodological foci. Promising avenues for future research include improving understanding of resilience in the WEF nexus, developing tools to measure resilience, bridging governance complexity, integrating resilience and nexus thinking, and considering development principles beyond resilience.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shifeng Wang, Sicong Wang, Richard Dawson
Summary: This paper investigates the energy-water nexus at the building level through the development of a novel energy-water ratio and a thermal model. The study examines the dynamic interdependence and feedback mechanism between energy and water in different types of buildings in London under present and future climate scenarios. The results highlight the importance of infrastructure configuration and environmental conditions in shaping the energy-water interdependence, and suggest a positive interaction between energy and water.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Abbas Afshar, Elham Soleimanian, Hossein Akbari Variani, Masoud Vahabzadeh, Amir Molajou
Summary: Several models have been proposed to address different aspects of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus system, with the aim of considering internal and external relationships between subsystems. Gathering extensive data is essential in a holistic model, with classification into non-simulated and simulated data being an important step in simplifying the complexity of the nexus system. This study demonstrates the importance of data classification in accessing and sharing data within a comprehensive nexus simulation model.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hossein Akbari Variani, Abbas Afshar, Masoud Vahabzadeh, Amir Molajou, Mohammad Matin Akbari Varyani
Summary: This study presents an Agriculture Simulation Model for the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus at the watershed scale, which accurately models crop yield based on the dynamics between and within FEW subsystems in agriculture. The results show the highest and lowest energy consumption indices for Potato and rainfed Chickpea, respectively. The water economic productivity indices indicate irrigated Potato and Wheat as the highest and lowest.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hossein Akbari Variani, Abbas Afshar, Masoud Vahabzadeh, Amir Molajou
Summary: Agricultural crops are the primary food source, with livestock and poultry products indirectly depending on them. The lack of a comprehensive and easy-to-use simulation model for the food subsystem focusing on crops is a significant obstacle to adopting the water, food, and energy (WFE) nexus. This study reviewed simulation-based modeling studies of the WFE nexus, focusing on the crop growth models (CGMs) used in the system, and found that the AquaCrop model met more criteria compared to other CGMs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Somayeh Rezaei Kalvani, Fulvio Celico
Summary: This study investigates the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus in European countries, finding that Spain and Italy have conducted the most nexus studies. There is a lack of research on water-abundant countries, such as Slovakia and Luxembourg. Most studies focus on energy production and neglect other resources like land, climate, ecosystem, soil, and environment. The migration of people due to climate change in the WEF nexus is not considered, and there is a lack of common and standard frameworks for assessment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alma Yunuen Raya-Tapia, Francisco Javier Lopez-Flores, Jose Maria Ponce-Ortega
Summary: This paper proposes a WEF nexus index to measure the availability and accessibility of water, energy and food security. Based on deep learning models, projections for 2050 show significant increases in water consumption, electricity generation, electricity demand and food production compared to 2010.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Masoud Vahabzadeh, Abbas Afshar, Amir Molajou, Kosar Parnoon, Seyed Mohammad Ashrafi
Summary: This study develops a comprehensive energy simulation under the Energy, Water, and Food (EWF) nexus system approach (CESNeX), which evaluates the effects of various energy generation scenarios on the water subsystem. It suggests expanding Barley cultivation due to its lower water and energy needs, and reducing Potato cultivation in the region considering its higher water and energy consumption. The CESNeX model provides insights for policymakers to develop appropriate cropping patterns while considering water and energy consumption.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Carla Caldeira, Anestis Vlysidis, Gianluca Fiore, Valeria De Laurentiis, Giuseppe Vignali, Serenella Sala
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Carla Caldeira, Valeria De Laurentiis, Agneta Ghose, Sara Corrado, Serenella Sala
Summary: National studies on food waste in EU countries show discrepancies due to different quantification approaches. Two modelling approaches are proposed, based on Material Flow Analysis and waste statistics, to estimate food waste. Estimates from waste statistics are generally lower than those from Material Flow Analysis.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hasan Fehmi Topal, Dexter V. L. Hunt, Christopher D. F. Rogers
Summary: The study focused on evaluating the urban sustainability understanding and behavior of individuals in Istanbul, showing that awareness was more strongly correlated with attitude than perception, and behavior was strongly predicted by all determinants. The most influential factors were awareness of consequences, trust in society, social appraisement, world-mindedness, willingness to pay, trust in science and technology, ascription of responsibility, age and gender.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
P. Giovani Palafox-Alcantar, Dexter V. L. Hunt, Christopher D. F. Rogers
Summary: A circular economy aims to capture value in waste through actions like reuse, recycle, recover, and regenerate, but stakeholder conflicts arise due to differing objectives. Cooperation is critical for circular economy implementation, highlighted in a study analyzing stakeholder characteristics in Birmingham, UK. While stakeholders show awareness and willingness to cooperate, their practices don't align fully, although positive perspectives towards circular economy development were revealed.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Stylianos Providakis, Chris D. F. Rogers, David N. Chapman
Summary: As cities expand and utilize underground space more, issues related to tunnel construction and the risk of adjacent building damage are becoming increasingly important. Analyzing several factors for risk assessment is crucial for sustainable and resilient urban planning. Adopting methods like the Analytical Hierarchy Process and AutoRegressive eXogenous modelling can help in producing necessary analysis for assessing settlement vulnerability and building damage risks. Integrating these analyses within a Building Information Modelling framework can provide a detailed tool for analyzing settlement vulnerability and building damage within a 3D geology-tunnel-buildings model.
GEORISK-ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF RISK FOR ENGINEERED SYSTEMS AND GEOHAZARDS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Laura Scherer, Valeria De Laurentiis, Alexandra Marques, Ottar Michelsen, Elizabeth Migoni Alejandre, Stephan Pfister, Francesca Rosa, Benedetto Rugani
Summary: There is a lack of alignment between land use classification in life cycle inventory (LCI) databases and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods, which can impede the assessment of land use impacts on biodiversity. To address this issue, the researchers matched the land use classes of two global LCIA methods to commonly used LCI databases, a standardized LCI nomenclature, and a multi-regional input-output database, making worst-case assumptions in unclear situations. Recommendations are provided for developers of LCI databases and LCIA methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Giulia Ferronato, Sara Corrado, Valeria De laurentiis, Serenella Sala
Summary: The study combines Material Flow Analysis and Life cycle Assessment to analyze the meat supply chain in Italy. Results show an average meat consumption of 55 kg per capita per year, with pork, poultry, and beef being the main contributors, where beef contributes the most to CO2 emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andrea Martino Amadei, Valeria De Laurentiis, Serenella Sala
Summary: This study critically assesses the available monetary valuation approaches applicable in LCA and highlights challenges and research needs towards the development of a set of monetary valuation factors. The review found significant variability in the availability of monetary valuation coefficients across impact categories. Results from a case study on the environmental impacts of the consumption of an average European citizen showed a contribution of external damage ranging from 15% to 41% of per capita expenditure.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Esther Sanye-Mengual, Antonio Valente, Fabrizio Biganzoli, Martin Dorber, Francesca Verones, Alexandra Marques, Jorge Ortigosa Rodriguez, Valeria De Laurentiis, Simone Fazio, Serenella Sala
Summary: This paper focuses on mapping LCIA methods and models addressing biodiversity loss to specific LCI nomenclatures, proposing mapping rules for elementary flows related to chemicals, carbon emissions, land use, water use, and particulate matter, while discussing specific aspects to consider in mapping elementary flows. Main gaps in LCI nomenclatures are associated with toxicity and climate change impacts, with EF 3.0 showing better alignment with LCIA methods and models compared to ecoinvent 3.6. Further efforts are recommended for harmonizing elementary flows nomenclature in the LCA community.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Management
Christopher J. Bouch, Elisabeth A. Shrimpton, Lewis Makana, Bryony Bowman, Christopher D. F. Rogers
Summary: This paper describes a methodology for identifying benefit and value-generating opportunities, demonstrated in the context of infrastructure asset management. It also discusses a research project on the introduction of robotic and autonomous systems to water and sewage pipe network management in the UK. The methodology paves the way for radical change and value capture in infrastructure systems.
INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lewis O. Makana, Will J. Shepherd, Simon Tait, Christopher D. F. Rogers, Nicole Metje, Joby B. Boxall, Alma N. A. Schellart
Summary: This paper examines the role of pipe deterioration prediction approaches for optimizing maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of buried water supply, wastewater collection, and drainage networks. It highlights the need for broader and richer data sets to inform the development and application of such approaches.
JOURNAL OF PIPELINE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Studies
Martina Boschiero, Valeria De Laurentiis, Carla Caldeira, Serenella Sala
Summary: Current agricultural practices are unsustainable and pose serious threats to the environment. Transitioning to sustainable agriculture is crucial to meet international sustainability goals, and multiple approaches are being discussed. Conventional agriculture has high productivity but comes with significant environmental costs, while organic agriculture is seen as a sustainable option but criticized for lower yields. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to compare the environmental performance of organic and conventional crop systems. These assessments consistently show that organic systems have better overall environmental performance, despite lower yields, across various impact categories.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Laura Scherer, Francesca Rosa, Zhongxiao Sun, Ottar Michelsen, Valeria De Laurentiis, Alexandra Marques, Stephan Pfister, Francesca Verones, Koen J. J. Kuipers
Summary: Land use poses a significant threat to terrestrial biodiversity. Life cycle assessment is a valuable tool for evaluating such threats and aiding environmental decision-making. This study focuses on land use impacts and introduces new characterization factors that consider land use intensities and fragmentation, as well as updates the dataset used for modeling. The findings provide practical guidance for the use of these factors and offer a critical assessment of their strengths and limitations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bryony M. Bowman, Dexter V. L. Hunt, Chris D. F. Rogers
Summary: Water is a vital and multifunctional resource that has wide-ranging consequences for our society, economy, and ecosystems. Sustainable water management and environmental justice are key topics explored in this study, focusing on the UK water industry. The systematic review examines the application of future considerations in water research, identifying a growing body of research associated with decision-making using future scenarios.
Article
Transportation
Dennis van Soest, Miles R. Tight, Christopher D. F. Rogers