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Open Access 2024 | Open Access | Book

The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific

Central and South Asia

Editors: Zafar Adeel, Benno Böer

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Water Security in a New World

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Table of Contents

About this book

This open access book considers that the Central and South Asian region sits at the middle of geographical, geopolitical, economic and historical cross-roads. Since the independence of the Central Asian states in the 1990s, following the demise of the Soviet Union, and emergence of regional trade and political ties means that the region’s evolution has also been subject to common drivers – external and internal, opening up some new opportunities. The long-term social and economic success of the region depends on how water, energy, and food security is achieved at a regional scale that combines Central Asia and South Asia, which are typically treated separately in policy and scholarly works. This book considers how securing the “Nexus” of water, energy, and food resources serves as a starting point for utilizing emerging region-wide opportunities. It does so by identifying the present state of play, deeply analyzing cross-cutting drivers (e.g., climate change, poverty, environmentalcrises and urbanization) and offering insights into possible solutions.

The book offers an in-depth rationale for why dealing with this region as a whole makes sense; it is then divided into four sections: The first section, entitled “A Regional Overview,” establishes the basic facts around the state of water, energy, and food resources; this section is meant to serve as the foundation upon which further exploration and analysis is built. The second section turns its attention to “Regional Issues” and unpacks the Nexus into water–energy and water–food relationships. It also investigates how regional trade and coping mechanisms for environmental crises might inform the policies on the Nexus. The section includes a sampling of success and failure stories around implementation of the Nexus policies and strategies in the Central and South Asian region. The third section undertakes an analysis of the “Cross-Cutting Themes for Nexus Security” by investigating all the major drivers of policy and development strategies in the region: climate change, urbanization, poverty, sharing of resources across borders, and gender-based disparities. The fourth and final section uses the discussion throughout the book to formulate “An Integrated Narrative” around the Nexus. It explores how the new global development framework in the form of Sustainable Development Goals might offer a new perspective for achieving the Nexus security in the region. There is an argument that the Nexus security ties in with achievement of long-term peace and security. A final wrap-up chapter gazes into the crystal ball to test out some future scenarios – both positive and negative.

Frontmatter

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A Region-Wide Overview

Frontmatter

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Chapter 1. An Integrated Overview of the Water, Energy, Food Nexus in Central and South Asia

Abstract

This chapter provides a description of the nexus between water, energy, and food security in the Central and South Asian region, including a description of the commonalities and differences. This description serves as the rationale for the regional footprint used in this book and the interactions between the countries including in the region. It provides an overview of the geopolitical considerations that make the region strategically important to the world. The following dynamic drivers of large-scale and strategic changes in the region are briefly discussed: geopolitical forces and events, trends related to urbanization, impacts of the global climate change, and emerging factors such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. A brief summary of the regional challenges and opportunities is provided, which serves as an introduction to the four sections of this book and various chapters: developmental and economic challenges; threats to water, energy, and food security; and political volatility. Finally, this chapter provides a section-by-section overview of the book as a whole.

Zafar Adeel, Benno Böer

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Chapter 2. Managing Soils for Food Security in Central and South Asia

Abstract

Food insecurity in densely populated South Asia remains a major issue despite the success of the Green Revolution, and the problem also exists even in the sparsely populated Central Asia. Growing population, changing climate, degrading soils, increasingly vulnerable ecoregions, and worsening political stability are among numerous contributors to food insecurity in Central and South Asia. There exists a strong “soil degradation – global warming – food insecurity nexus” which must be addressed through translation of proven agronomic and pedologic science into action by prudent governance and political will power. Prominent processes of soil degradation include decline of soil structure along with crusting and compaction, accelerated erosion by water and wind, excessive withdrawal of water, along with eutrophication and contamination, depletion of soil organic matter content, pollution of air, mining of plant nutrients by extractive practices, rapid salinization and acidification of soil, and growing risks of waterlogging because of flood irrigation, etc. Global warming is adversely affecting the agronomic yield and taking a collective action at a regional level through cooperation among all countries, is critical to addressing the serious issue of food and nutritional insecurity that cuts across political, ethnic, and national boundaries. Risks of stagnating and declining agronomic productivity, along with aggravating soil degradation because of changing climate and inappropriate soil/crop/water management, is an especially urgent issue in densely populated South Asia that cannot be ignored. Food wastes, 30 to 40% of grains and even more for fruits and vegetables, are crime against nature and humanity and must be urgently addressed. It would be prudent and nature-friendly to adopt policies which discourage the in-field burning of crop residues, scalping of topsoil for brick making, using flood-based irrigation, puddling of soil followed by inundation of rice paddies in arid and semi-arid regions and broadcasting of fertilizers. Subsidies, such as those for irrigation and nitrogen fertilizers, must be changed into payments for ecosystem services provisioned through adoption of recommended management practices. Thus, stronger investment in agriculture and transformational changes in policies are needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations.

Rattan Lal

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Chapter 3. Water-Food Equation in Central and South Asia

Abstract

Population growth and urbanization converge upon the Central and South Asia region, where water demand is expected to continue rising in order to support food production systems. In contrast, some freshwater resources are likely to be diverted from agriculture to provide water for other increasing demands, such as municipal and industrial activities. In such a context, achieving water and food security has become an entangled challenge in the region where most countries are net importers of major cereals. Ensuring both sides of the water-food equation complement each other needs insights into strategies that promote efficient use of available water resources to support efforts in achieving food security across the region. The following aspects of water resources management are needed in building a water- and food-secure future in the region by (1) promoting water conservation, water recycling and reuse; (2) ensuring sustainable water resources augmentation; (3) supporting productivity enhancement of underperforming land and water resources; and (4) addressing challenges beyond technical solutions accompanied by a call for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems. Policymakers and water professionals need to recognize and treat water as a highly valuable precious resource for sustainable agricultural production systems and a cornerstone of the circular economy. The key to support efforts in ensuring water- and food-security in the Central and South Asia regions include pertinent political agendas and associated public policies, supportive institutions, strengthening institutional collaborations, and skilled professionals.

Manzoor Qadir

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Chapter 4. Water-Energy Equation in Central and South Asia: A Perspective from Tajikistan

Abstract

Central and South Asia are connected in many ways. Water and energy have the potential to further strengthen these links. South Asia needs energy to fuel its development, while the waters of Central Asia can be used to produce the clean and sustainable energy needed by South Asia. The major rivers of both regions are transboundary in nature, and bilateral and multilateral cooperation is essential to tap their full potential. In Central Asia alone, the annual economic benefits of cooperation were estimated at 5% of regional GDP. Hydropower is a sector where potential for cooperation is high, both within Central Asia and between Central Asia and South Asia. The capacity of Central Asian hydropower generation capacity can transform the energy market in both regions; the chapter analyzes the specific needs of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India and the potential for further cooperation. Finally, this chapter discusses the main challenges along the water-energy nexus in both regions, particularly climate change and population growth, suggesting ways forward.

Sulton Rahimzoda

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Regional Issues

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Chapter 5. Towards the Deployment of Food, Energy and Water Security Early Warning Systems as Convergent Technologies for Building Climate Resilience

Abstract

The goal of designing convergent technologies, such as food, energy, water, energy security early warning systems (Nexus-EWS), is driven by societal need to adapt to increasing frequency and intensity of extreme hydro-meteorological events (e.g., floods, droughts, heatwaves) differentially distributed across the planet due to accelerating global climate change. Deployment and continual improvement of such convergent technologies may enhance social understanding of coupled food-energy-water systemic interactions, couplings, and processes, which in turn are critically needed for forecasting and managing the social ecological risk accentuated by climate change-induced extreme hydro-meteorological events. This chapter presents a brief review and discussion of Nexus-EWS as convergent technologies and provides promising examples of Nexus-EWS applications with specific focus on Central and South Asian countries, both within countries and across regional scale entities. The scientific and technical challenges for deploying, sustaining, and improving Nexus-EWS to generate accurate early warnings about the risks to secure and safe provision of food, energy, and water and identify early action capabilities are also explored. The growing role of open-sourced big data, such as remotely sensed satellite data and artificial intelligence, and their intersection with traditional security dimensions are discussed. Geopolitical and ethical issues arising from the deployment of convergent technologies such as Nexus-EWS are presented to inform the future research and policy action needs and goals.

Asim Zia

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Chapter 6. Climate Change Impacts

Abstract

The all-embracing impact of human-made climate change is widely visible in both Central and South Asia, areas highly susceptible to climate related risks. From rising atmospheric and oceanic temperatures, rising sea levels, shifting precipitation regimes, and glacier melt related floods, no area is spared by climate change. A high vulnerability to climatic extremes is a consequence of the region’s natural climate and geography and each country’s sociological and political structure. Natural disparities are amplified by inequalities in educational and cultural opportunities. Additionally, low climatic resilience exists in densely populated areas with high poverty rates, which exacerbates the exposure to climate extremes and to accumulation of natural catastrophic events. Economic and social sectors dependent on water, energy, and food resources will experience increasing stress, risking wealth and economic standards of the countries and communities under a changing climate. This chapter outlines the most significant changes in climate for the region and the impact of these changes on water, energy, and food resources. Most countries in Central and South Asia have already included important steps in their policies or have implemented a series of strategies and projects (e.g., climate change adaptation). However, full implementation of sustainable adaptation projects presents a number of difficulties, all of which can be addressed on national and transregional scales to improve resilience against climate related threats.

Fiona Rochholz, Tobias Matusch, Jens Wunderlich, Alexander Siegmund

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Chapter 7. Gender Mainstreaming and the Nexus

Abstract

Central and South Asia together form 26 per cent of the global population and are rich in biodiversity. Many of the ecosystems, however, are vulnerable to climate change which has the potential to disrupt the availability of and access to water, energy, and food. In these regions, women constitute about half of the population and are stakeholders both as consumers and producers, besides being active agents of change. Needless to say the issues of gender and the associated nexus are critical for addressing challenges emanating from climate change and biodiversity losses. Hence, it is essential to examine and ensure participation of more women in policy planning and implementation around the nexus of water, energy, and food security, including in agriculture. This chapter provides an overview of the challenges and issues existing in the food, water, and energy nexus, through a gender lens. Taking note of the existing status of women in Central and South Asia across the three sectors, the chapter highlights various promising practices of different stakeholders to enhance capacities and financial resources, provide adequate infrastructure, and a work environment conducive to encourage gender-balanced processes and strategies. Highlighting the issues and challenges, the chapter concludes that gender mainstreaming needs to be an intrinsic aspect of policies and processes, across the three sectors. Challenges related to assessing and institutionalizing gender inclusion need utmost attention and require transformative and unique solutions. With the right balance of training, education, enabling environment and policy planning, as well as implementation, the nexus will become more gender inclusive and sustainable.

Nimita Pandey, Neha Midha

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Cross-Cutting Themes for Nexus Security

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Chapter 8. Gendered Food and Water Insecurity in South Asia

Abstract

Women in South Asia, like women across the world, face disproportionate water and food insecurity. Aspects such as access to education, income, gender roles, and land ownership are cross-cutting themes influencing women’s water and food insecurity. However, country- and region-specific issues, premised in diverse political, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions, also shape differential water and food insecurity for particular groups of women. Understanding the complex and multidimensional aspects of differential gendered water and food insecurity is a core concern for scholars and policymakers. In this chapter, I review the common aspects as well as country- and region-specific issues impacting women’s water and food insecurity in South Asia. A nuanced understanding of how diverse groups of women are impacted by food and water insecurity is important for developing nuanced and targeted interventions towards achieving SDGs 2 and 6.

Vrushti Mawani

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Chapter 9. Poverty Reduction and Inclusion in Central and South Asia

Abstract

The concept of poverty evolved over time moving beyond the confines of income to non-income dimensions consisting of the concept of vulnerability and inclusion. The present chapter is an attempt to briefly look into how poverty can be eradicated through addressing exclusion so that no one is left behind—the pledge of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The chapter is organized in five sections. Section 9.1 is an introductory one that sketches background for a much broader discussion in the latter sections. Section 9.2 presents the income and multidimensional poverty status which provides a basis for Sect. 9.3 to further explain the deprivation in water, energy, food, and their relationship with the multidimensional poverty. Section 9.4 advances social exclusion as the driver of inequality. Finally, some policy suggestions are advanced on how poverty can be addressed through promoting inclusion. The central message of the chapter is that Central and South Asia have been making significant progress on poverty reduction over time. However, vulnerability and inequality are rising in most countries of the two sub-regions. This is mainly due to exclusion. Therefore, measures should be adopted to promote inclusion and to share the gains fairly across all population groups. This requires reforming existing policies, introducing new policies and legislations, as well as implementing effectively redistributive policies with a reform in existing fiscal policy, wage policy, in addition to making social protection inclusive and shock responsive.

Bishwa Nath Tiwari

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Chapter 10. Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus and the SDGs in Central and South Asia

Abstract

The international research community has been attracted to the concept of a “water-energy-food” nexus as an approach for more integrated planning for global environmental change. The Sustainable Development Goals may well be approached using such a nexus approach for data gathering and for holistic policy implementation. This chapter considers how Central and South Asia might adopt this approach, particularly in the context of rapid development which is taking place across the region. We focus on energy efficiency and public-private partnerships as two key areas where robust metrics for such a nexus being realized hold promise. We also consider some of the criticism of the nexus approach in terms of research depth and policy implementation and the use of tools such as the Water Energy Food Nexus Index in the context of this region. Overall, we find the concept is appropriate for use in this region, particularly as a means of cross-border and regional development planning.

Humayoun Akram, Sardar Mohazzam, Saleem H. Ali

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An Integrated Narrative

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Chapter 11. The Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach Towards Long-Term Peace and Stability

Abstract

This chapter assesses the ways in which a nexus approach to water-energy-food (WEF) resource management could fulfil the international community’s goals of long-term peace and stability. Considering the factors that catalyse conflict, this chapter will explore how a nexus approach incentivizes cooperation, policy coherency, and resource optimisation at domestic, regional, and international levels. This chapter will also explore the significance of regional dialogue (or lack thereof) in impacting the future prosperity of local populations.

Fozia Nazir Lone

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Chapter 12. Looking into the Future of the Water, Energy, Food Nexus in Central and South Asia

Abstract

This chapter takes a horizontal transect through the book and analyzes the commonalities and divergences in perspectives offered by the various authors. It presents the trends and patterns of the nexus’ security in the Central and South Asian region. It also provides an overview of the major drivers and their impacts on development, notably including climate change impacts, urban development and growth, development of new trade corridors, and management of transboundary water resources. Intersection of social issues like poverty reduction, societal inclusion, and gender dimensions of the water, energy, and food nexus are also discussed. This chapter offers some scenarios for how the situation for water, energy, and food security for the Central and South Asian region might evolve in the coming decades. It discusses how regional peace and security are dependent on sustainable availability of water, energy, and food.

Zafar Adeel

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Title: The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific
Editors: Zafar Adeel
Benno Böer
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-29035-0
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-29034-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29035-0