Nongovernmental organisation the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) completed the first phase of its Food-Energy-Water Nexus project in April, which is a body of work that looks at the importance of developing policy and recasting business strategy around these three issues in a holistic manner, says WWF market transformation manager Tatjana von Bormann.

Through research, comprising commissioned studies and workshop consultation with policymakers, food producers and marketers, water utilities and users, and energy producers and consumers, the Food-Energy-Water Nexus project aims to build the case for an integrated policy approach to the nexus, she adds.

The project also aims to influence changes in business models related to the food supply chain to bring about more efficient use of energy and water, and sustainable use of these resources in food production, says Von Bormann.

She illustrates that government’s National Development Plan took a “fairly sectoral view” when looking at addressing the sustainability of food, energy and water.

“To ensure the efficient management of these resources, they have to be seen as interconnected,” stresses Von Bormann.

She highlights that addressing these challenges in isolation is short-sighted and often counterproductive.

“Food, energy and water security are all vital for a sustainable future and approaching them as a nexus is essential in achieving this,” she explains.

Economic Challenges
Von Bormann explains that Gauteng is the centre of economic development and output in South Africa; however, she points out that Gauteng uses little of its own resources.

For example, Gauteng imports about 80% of its water from several complex water transfer schemes, which means that raw water costs account for about 53% of the water utilities’ input costs.

Further, she says that Gauteng accounts for about 3% of the total agricultural supplies, but is responsible for about 20% of agricultural demand.

“This means that rising energy prices will lead to an increase in food prices, as a result of higher transportation costs,” she adds.

In terms of food waste, it is estimated that of the 31-million tons of food produced in a year, about ten-million of that is lost along the value chain.

“This impacts on the producer and consumer, while the loss includes about R1-billion worth of energy and almost as much for water, which is embedded in that waste,” adds Von Bormann.

Looking Forward
The first phase of the project is focused on raising the issues and driving a better level of awareness for government and the private sector, she explains.

“The next step is to engage directly with government around policy issues and the private sector around more efficient practices in the food value chain,” she adds.