Applying the Nexus Approach in Sustainability and Climate Change

Liu et al (2018) propose that research goals must be explicitly connected with SDGs (Liu et al 2018: 469). Nexus systems of interest must be identified, and practitioners must build conceptual frameworks (Liu et al 2018: 469). Nexus relationships must be quantitatively analysed (Liu et al 2018: 469-470). Simulations of nexus dynamics will be helpful (Liu et al 2018: 470), but stakeholder participation is essential (Liu et al 2018: 470).

The authors suggest that existing nexus frameworks be broadened to include wider sectoral variety (Liu et al 2018: 471); nexuses be connected across scales and levels (Liu et al 2018: 471); more expansive frameworks (such as metacoupling) be adopted (Liu et al 2018: 471); and the approach be applied to SDG implementation (Liu et al 2018: 472). Nexus studies should include households and marine and coastal areas (Liu et al 2018: 472). There is a need to develop tools, standards and data integration (Liu et al 2018: 473). Finally, nexus research could assist governance by emphasizing interlinkage and cooperation between sectors and regions (Liu et al 2018: 473).

The nexus approach is crucial. If humanity is to address sustainability and climate change, then we must understand the interplay between individual processes and structures and their contextual milieu.

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References:

Liu, J., V. Hull, H.C.J. Godfray, D. Tilman, P. Gleick, H. Hoff, C. Pahl-Wostl, Z. Xu, M.G. Chung, J. Sun, and S. Li. (2018). ‘Nexus approaches to global sustainable development’. Nature Sustainability 1(9) 2018, pp.466–476.