The water-energy-food nexus in Canada: a review

Abstract The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is an approach for understanding interactions between the three resources to address complex sustainability and development challenges. While WEF nexus studies have been conducted globally, Canada provides a unique context as one of the most water-rich countries in the world. Yet, there has been limited literature studying the WEF nexus within Canada. Therefore, this study conducts a systematic literature review, using the PRISMA approach, to investigate the landscape of WEF nexus research in Canada. The literature review finds that the studies mostly use quantitative methods of inquiry, mostly focus on national and provincial spatial scales over more local scales, and mostly focus on the WEF nexus as an analytical tool to measure physical resource flows between the resources rather than on policy or governance considerations. Based on these findings, there are four recommendations for future research on the WEF nexus in Canada: (1) more nexus research should be conducted at the local level, (2) more social science and qualitative approaches should be applied in WEF nexus studies, (3) WEF nexus research should investigate resource governance questions, and (4) WEF nexus research should integrated related areas such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and Indigenous sovereignty. Résumé Le nexus eau-énergie-alimentation (EEA) est une approche permettant de comprendre les interactions entre ces trois ressources afin de relever les défis complexes du développement durable. Bien que des études sur le nexus EEA aient été menées à l’échelle mondiale, le Canada offre un contexte unique, étant l'un des pays les plus riches en eau au monde. Pourtant, la littérature sur le nexus EEA au Canada demeure limitée. Par conséquent, cette étude réalise une revue systématique de la littérature, selon l'approche PRISMA, afin d’explorer le paysage de la recherche sur le nexus EEA au Canada. Cette revue révèle que les études utilisent majoritairement des méthodes quantitatives, privilégient les échelles spatiales nationales et provinciales aux échelles locales et considèrent principalement le nexus EEA comme un outil analytique permettant de mesurer les flux physiques de ressources entre celles-ci, plutôt que d’aborder les questions de politiques ou de gouvernance. Á la lumière de ces résultats, quatre recommandations sont formulées pour les recherches futures sur le nexus EEA au Canada : (1) mener davantage de recherches sur ce nexus à l’échelle locale; (2) privilégier les approches qualitatives et issues des sciences sociales dans les études sur le nexus EEA; (3) examiner les questions de gouvernance des ressources dans les recherches sur le nexus EEA; et (4) intégrer les domaines connexes tels que les changements climatiques, la perte de biodiversité et la souveraineté autochtone dans ces recherches. KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS There has been limited previous exploration of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus in Canada, thus increased focus by research institutions can encourage interdisciplinary engagement through nexus exploration. Research funding agencies should develop future funding opportunities for study of the WEF nexus in Canada, particularly with calls for work focused at the local level and using social science approaches. As limited work has explored the governance of the WEF nexus in Canada, greater examination of governance opportunities and challenges could enhance policy decisions for water, energy, and food.