3.2. WEFe nexus and socio-economic trends
Why analyze trends?
Trend analysis is important for understanding potential future scenarios impacting the WEFe nexus, especially in regions undergoing rapid socio-economic and environmental changes. While the context scan examines the current situation, trend analysis looks at future factors like population growth or urbanization, which can increase demand for water, energy, and food. These changes, along with the availability of natural resources and ecosystem quality, can affect the feasibility of interventions and should be assessed early in the WEFe Framework 2.0 implementation.
How to analyse WEFe nexus and socio-economic trends?
A desk-based approach is used based on existing data, reports, and models that are readily accessible. The focus of the analysis should be on the main WEFe nexus issues and socio-economic challenges, and the main aspects that shape WEFe nexus problems that have been identified in the context scan. A clear connection to the WEFe nexus issues in the focal area is needed to guarantee that the collected data are relevant for the next phases of the framework (i.e., the identification and assessment of specific interventions for the focal area).
Databases (e.g. FAO, International Energy Agency, World Bank, or national statistics and databases), Reports (e.g., IPCC, EU, United Nations Environment Programme) and Country and Region-Specific Environmental Outlooks.
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10 to 20 years to align with local, actionable interventions.
It may not be possible to collect data that completely overlap with the boundaries of the study area:
- In this case, information can be collected at the appropriate higher level of analysis.
- If different boundaries for data collection are chosen, it is important to indicate this in the report/Nexus Bridging Plan.
The download below provides broad questions that can be used as a guideline for collecting information on future WEFe nexus and socio-economic trends. It is not necessary to answer all questions in detail. The focus should be on those natural resources or ecosystems that are most affected by the key WEFe nexus challenges identified in the context scan.