The water-energy-food nexus research in the Brazilian context: What are we missing?

Author(s)

Dalla Fontana, Michele ; Moreira, Fabiano de Araujo ; Di Giulio, Gabriela Marques ; Malheiros, Tadeu Fabricio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY; v. 112, p. 9-pg., 2020-10-01.

Abstract

The water-energy-food nexus has gained particular momentum in the fields of sustainable development and resource security in the last years. However, some scholars critically question the nexus by arguing that research is strongly shaped by western knowledge with a bias towards natural scientific, engineering and economic perspectives; whereas there is a lack of attention on local socio-political aspects and little contribution from social sciences. This paper provides a critical analysis of studies focused on the nexus in the Brazilian context or by Brazilian institutions. The main objectives are to assess whether research on the nexus in the Brazilian context shares common features with the international research; to identify the main nexus topics in this geographic context; and to examine if socio-economic challenges are considered, specifically regarding urbanization and poverty. Through a quantitative and qualitative analysis, the results show that Brazilian institutions lead research on the nexus in the Brazilian context, however the contribution from the social sciences remains marginal. Furthermore, quantitative methods are predominantly used over qualitative and hybrid methods. The research largely focuses on connections between water and energy in the hydropower and biofuels sectors, and it is based on discourses of efficiency, optimization, modelling and technological innovation. In addition, scholars have so far failed to address other important issues for sustainable development in Brazil and the Global South. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/21362-1 - Globally and locally-sustainable food-water-energy innovation in Urban Living Labs, sustainable urbanisation global initiative - GLOCULL – project: local dynamics and conflicts around the multiple interests and uses in the Billings Reservoir from nexus approach
• Grantee: Michele Dalla Fontana
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/50423-6 - Globally and LOCally-sustainable food-water-energy innovation in Urban Living Labs: GLOCULL
• Grantee: Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/21249-0 - Globally and Locally-sustainable Food-Water-Energy innovation in urban living labs - GLOCULL - project indicators system for sustainability assessment in urban food/water and energy integrated projects
• Grantee: Fabiano de Araujo Moreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral