Launch of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Framework Handbook

@International Agricultural Policy and Environmental Governance

With environmental challenges becoming increasingly complex, it is essential to adopt a Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFe) nexus perspective in order to understand the interdependencies of natural resources and manage them sustainably. Together with colleagues from the Bonex project, the Section of International Agricultural Policy and Environmental Governance has therefore developed the WEFe Framework 2.0 (WEFeF 2.0).

Link: Bonex-Project

This practical guide is designed to help policymakers, government agencies, businesses, NGOs, and research institutes collaboratively identify and assess interventions that solve WEFE nexus problems and enhance sustainability at local and regional levels. The framework focuses on technical and/or organisational interventions implemented at the local level, aiming to improve the WEFE nexus by reducing water, energy or land use, protecting ecosystems, and maintaining food production.

The handbook is available in two complementary formats, as an Interactive version and a PDF version. Building on the lessons from the seven BONEX Demonstration Projects, the handbook provides step-by-step guidance, templates, examples, and explanatory resources to support practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in applying the WEFEF approach. By making the framework accessible and operational, the handbook aims to inspire and guide regions in the Mediterranean and beyond towards more integrated and Nexus-oriented management of natural resources.