Nexus approaches to global sustainable development

Many global challenges, though interconnected, have been addressed singly, at times reducing one problem while exacerbating others. Nexus approaches simultaneously examine interactions among multiple sectors. Recent quantitative studies have revealed that nexus approaches can uncover synergies and d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature sustainability 2018-09, Vol.1 (9), p.466-476
Main Authors: Liu, Jianguo, Hull, Vanessa, Godfray, H. Charles J., Tilman, David, Gleick, Peter, Hoff, Holger, Pahl-Wostl, Claudia, Xu, Zhenci, Chung, Min Gon, Sun, Jing, Li, Shuxin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
704/844
706/1143
706/2805
706/4066
Earth and Environmental Science
Environment
Quantitative research
Review Article
Sustainability
Sustainable Development
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Summary:Many global challenges, though interconnected, have been addressed singly, at times reducing one problem while exacerbating others. Nexus approaches simultaneously examine interactions among multiple sectors. Recent quantitative studies have revealed that nexus approaches can uncover synergies and detect trade-offs among sectors. If well implemented, nexus approaches have the potential to reduce negative surprises and promote integrated planning, management and governance. However, application and implementation of nexus approaches are in their infancy. No studies have explicitly quantified the contributions of nexus approaches to progress toward meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. To further implement nexus approaches and realize their potential, we propose a systematic procedure and provide perspectives on future directions. These include expanding nexus frameworks that consider interactions among more sectors, across scales, between adjacent and distant places, and linkages with Sustainable Development Goals; incorporating overlooked drivers and regions; diversifying nexus toolboxes; and making these strategies central in policy-making and governance for integrated Sustainable Development Goal implementation. Sustainability challenges, such as feeding people with fewer resources, involve challenges at the nexus of multiple issues, such as food, water and energy. This Review explores such nexus approaches, surveying their use towards sustainable development challenges, discussing examples, and proposing a systematic procedure and future directions.
ISSN:2398-9629
2398-9629
DOI:10.1038/s41893-018-0135-8