WEFE nexus framework: From concept to implementation

Organizer: Soni Jawari Center for Public Policy (SJCPP), Gilgit, WWF-Pakistan and Karakoram International University (KIU), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

About the workshop

ICIMOD has developed a conceptual framework for the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. Based on this framework, we recently conducted a comprehensive study titled “Understanding socioeconomic and ecological dimensions of the WEFE nexus for integrating transboundary river basin and landscape perspectives in the Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan”. Preliminary study findings were also shared with partners and stakeholders in a workshop in December 2021.

This consultation workshop will further discuss the study findings, focusing on inter-sectoral synergies and trade-offs, with a larger group of experts, partners, and stakeholders from the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). ICIMOD, under its Indus Basin and Hindu Kush Karakoram Pamir Landscape (HKPL) initiatives plans to develop and pilot a nexus operational model in the UIB area. The workshop will also help identify nexus issues and challenges, options, and opportunities, and invite suggestions on the solutions and operational model for piloting the WEFE nexus in UIB and HKPL region.

Experiences and learnings from UIB, Koshi River basin, and the HKPL will be used to further refine the evolving framework. Barriers such as policy issues and challenges in implementation, and the strategies adopted to overcome these, will be key lessons for sharing and dissemination.

Background

The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus is an emerging concept and a policy approach used to manage trade-offs and synergies in food, agriculture, water, energy, and environment, and ecosystem sectors. The WEFE nexus approach aims to ensure sustainable use of natural resources, improve resource use efficiency, and increase equitable access to resources, particularly for poor and marginalised groups. The WEFE nexus approach is beneficial for mitigating and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change and therefore needs to be mainstreamed into policy, planning, and practice.

The WEFE nexus also has great relevance for river basin and landscape governance in the HKH. Seven out of the ten major river basins that originate in the HKH flow across international borders. Divergent resource use regimes across these transboundary river basins and landscapes increase competition for shared resources and lead to disagreements and conflicts.

Objectives

• Highlight key findings and relevance of the study with experts, partners, and stakeholders
• Identify and develop shared understanding of the nexus issues and challenges, opportunities, and solutions for WEFE piloting
• Explore the operational model and identify key sectors, resources, partners, and stakeholders, and enlist their priorities, potential linkages, synergies, trade-offs, and governance systems

Expected outputs

• Draft an operational plan for WEFE nexus piloting in the UIB
• Suggestions and inputs on WEFE nexus framework, partners, and implementation approaches
• Inputs for issue briefs and knowledge products

Agenda