International Webinar "Water can’t wait: Accelerating the adoption of innovations in water, energy, and food security Nexus”

Dr. Jordi Morató delivered the keynote address at the International Webinar titled "Water Can't Wait: Accelerating the Adoption of Innovations in Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus," organized by the Center of Excellence for Water and Climate Resilience (CoE4WCR) in Indonesia, in collaboration with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, 30th January 2025

• Time: 12:00 - 16:05 (Western Indonesia Time / UTC +7)

• Venue:

  • Offline: Matsushita Hall, Sabo Technical Centre, Sopalan, Maguwoharjo, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

  • Online options available for remote participation.

The pressure on the water-food-energy nexus poses a significant threat to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As water resources become more limited, their ability to support goals related to poverty, hunger, sustainability, and the environment is diminishing. Therefore, there is an urgent need for integrated management of water, food, and energy to balance the needs of people, nature, and the economy. Governments must prioritize renewable energy development and reduce the water intensity of energy sources. Supporting less water-intensive renewable energy options, such as wind and geothermal energy, is essential. Sustainable agricultural practices and efficiency measures like precision irrigation and ecosystem protection are also key to conserving both water and energy.

The Nexus approach integrates policymaking, planning, and management across sectors and scales, recognizing the interlinkages between water, energy, and food. Understanding these connections is crucial for improving investment planning, optimizing resource use, and reducing trade-offs. This approach not only facilitates more effective implementation of the SDGs but also aligns well with Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), as both concepts are complementary. By adopting a Nexus perspective, we can minimize the risks of sector-specific SDG actions undermining one another, analysing trade-offs and synergies to reduce negative impacts and strengthen positive outcomes. This, in turn, promotes cascading benefits that extend beyond the food, energy, and water sectors, supporting broader global sustainability efforts.

The webinar served as a vital platform for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to engage in discussions, share knowledge, and explore innovative solutions focused on sustainable practices for managing water, energy, and food systems. By emphasizing integrated strategies, the event aimed to facilitate the adoption of solutions that balanced increasing demands while preserving the environment.

Objectives:

1. Analyzed the interactions between water, energy, and food systems.

2. Facilitated knowledge-sharing on water, energy, and food security in the Nexus context.

3. Presented country-specific policies and experiences related to the Nexus approach.

4. Shared insights on renewable energy technologies within the Nexus framework.

5. Introduced advanced technologies aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

6. Brought together diverse perspectives to collaboratively identify sustainable development solutions.

This landmark event, which drew an impressive 787 online participants, brought together a diverse group of experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the intricate interplay of water, energy, and food security. The discussions highlighted cutting-edge innovations and strategies to address the urgent global challenges within these interconnected sectors.

In his compelling keynote address, Dr. Jordi Morató emphasized the transformative potential of nature-based solutions and ancestral hydrotechnologies. He advocated for their integration into modern sustainable practices, underscoring their ability to optimize resource management and bolster resilience in the face of climate change. The event served as a dynamic platform for fostering collaboration and driving actionable solutions toward a more sustainable future.