by ndw5072 | Jun 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
SustainFood is Mapping the Frontier of the WEFE+ Nexus
By: Zeeshan Tahir Virk
The WEFE Nexus continues to evolve theoretically and in practical aspects. We are identifying the 100 most important questions for future WEF Nexus research and policy. The horizon scan is a strategic
foresight exercise to identify emerging trends and challenges of a subject, just like the Nexus. Are you already familiar with the Nexus approach and curious about how it will evolve in future or If you have
worked in water, energy, agriculture, forestry, ecosystems or NRM sectors and ever wondered how these sectors and systems interact and can be managed together? Join us in this horizon scan as we map the
future trajectory of the Nexus approach and identify shared priorities moving forward.
by ndw5072 | Jun 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
SustainFood at the AGU Conference
By: Laura Snyder
Yousef Khajavigodellou is a Dual-PhD candidate in Geography & Environmental Science Policy at Michigan State University. He participated in SustainFood’s 2024 Collaborative Learning
School (CLS) at the Dickinson College Farm in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and represented SustainFood at the 2024 AGU Conference, where he presented research from that field experience. This year’s AGU Conference will be held December 15-19 in New Orleans, LA. The theme is “Where Science Connects Us,” which is fitting considering the increasing need for international
collaboration to conserve global water resources. The program schedule for the December conference will be finalized in September.
In 2024, Yousef authored the paper titled ”Advances in Integrated Crop-Livestock-Biogas Systems for Enhancing Water Quality and Sustainability in the Chesapeake Bay Watersheds: A
Case Study of Dickinson College Farm,” which presents a model to manage livestock and nutrient waste to prevent and reduce waterway pollution. Yousef co-authored a paper titled “Optimizing
Biogas Production from Agri-waste: A System Dynamics Analysis of Anaerobic Digestion and Dickinson College Farm.” Dickinson College Farm has a biogas plant which reduces water pollution by harnessing agriculture waste before it ever reaches the Chesapeake Bay. The result from his research encourages policy development, grant funding, and the promotion of technical knowledge to implement similar biogas facilities in the area to mitigate water pollution.
The 2024 CLS at Dickinson College Farm provided unique insight into the future of the WEF nexus. Dickinson College Farm prioritizes sustainability in its resource management with biogas production, local food production for Dickinson College, and making every attempt to minimize waste and use closed-loop systems. It is an exemplary farm with its effective use of agricultural resources. Yousef’s experience at Dickinson College Farm, and his background growing up on a rural farm gives him a unique insight into agriculture and the WEF nexus.
Yousef’s current research focuses on transboundary river basins in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Water is an especially precious resource in MENA region for agriculture and energy production, and when a river basin shares borders with multiple countries there is potential for conflict over water usage. These potential conflicts are magnified when river basins share borders with multiple countries, such as the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates basins. Water diplomacy aims to minimize conflict over water usage between international players in both the short and long term. As conflict arises from changes in the global climate and world markets, water diplomacy addresses these changes by anticipating solutions for oncoming conflicts. Yousef also studies the Urmia Lake Basin (ULB) in western Iran, a region that has experienced severe water loss in recent years and now requires urgent and strategic management to sustain the livelihoods of its dependent populations. Research on Lake Urmia has emphasized the complex interplay of socio-economic and political feedback loops that have contributed to water bankruptcy in the basin, largely resulting from decades of government-led development interventions.
Successful water diplomacy requires cooperation between local and international levels. Yousef finds that by involving both small and large stakeholders we can reach a common understanding of how to share water in a way that benefits everyone. A strong network with highly involved stakeholders ensures that all voices are heard. Women as a group have been historically left out of WEF nexus resource management across the globe. Through his systematic review of the WEF news and water diplomacy, Yousef identifies a need for policy and platforms that promote women’s participation in water diplomacy.
Yousef plans to continue his research on water diplomacy through two case studies—the MENA region and the Urmia Lake Basin—and aims to publish his findings in the upcoming fall. He is committed to advancing academic inquiry into the dynamics of water diplomacy, crisis, and conflict, anticipating that these challenges will grow increasingly urgent and complex in the years ahead. He envisions a future where SustainFood expands its presence into the Middle East, fostering opportunities for stakeholders to advocate for sustainable management of WEF resources through an integrated nexus approach
by ndw5072 | Jun 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
SustainFood at WEFE Nexus Forum
By: Laura Snyder
The WEFE Nexus Forum, 2nd Edition was held in Tangier, Morocco, on February 5-6, 2025. It provided a forum for over 400 participants from around the world to collaborate and share innovative ideas on sustainable water, energy, and food management. The Forum aimed to strengthen existing solutions within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus and build partnerships between policymakers and stakeholders.
During the Forum, SustainFood networker Dr. Michael Jacobson, a Professor of Forest Resources at Penn State discussed emerging technologies that enhance resilient and sustainable agriculture. He also moderated a panel on financing WEFE Nexus projects. He emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement, stating, “This forum allows us to examine case studies and solutions being implemented on the ground. There is still much work to be done. We need to engage with farmers and those who rely on water resources. Their input is crucial. Change must start from the bottom up.”
Local initiatives serve as the foundation for global success, and Morocco stands out as a leader in addressing complex social and environmental issues. In 2021, King Mohammed VI launched the New Development Model for Morocco, a framework designed to tackle the climate crisis, enhance natural resource management, and promote equitable economic growth. This model focuses on investing in human capital, fostering social equality, empowering local communities, and diversifying the economy. Speakers at the WEFE Nexus Forum presented innovative technologies such as green hydrogen and agrivoltaics systems, which optimize agricultural yields, conserve water, and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, grassroots community-led solutions were highlighted as essential for sustainable economic development and a greener future.
The WEFE Nexus Forum showcased Morocco’s commitment to sustainability in resource management and its proactive approach to climate-related challenges, including drought, urbanization, and economic dependence on exports. The country’s National Low Carbon Strategy 2050 pledges to cut carbon emissions by 77% by mid-century through greener infrastructure. Similarly, the Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy focuses on agricultural and rural development. Morocco’s dedication to sustainable development in the WEFE Nexus extends beyond its borders, positively impacting neighboring countries as well.
The Forum welcomed participants from over 41 countries, particularly from the Mediterranean region and the EU. The discussions underscored the global effort needed to address climate change and resource scarcity, especially in the context of rapid urbanization. The EU aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through green energy, sustainable infrastructure, and environmentally conscious consumer behavior. Both
Morocco and the EU envision a smooth transition to sustainable industries that will enhance their economies and improve living conditions.
SustainFood, in collaboration with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, is fostering innovation in green technology in Africa. Through international partnerships, we can learn from global leaders in the WEFE Nexus and bring their transformative ideas to the United States, advancing sustainable solutions worldwide
by ndw5072 | Jun 30, 2025 | Events, News, Uncategorized
SustainFood participates in Southern Africa Regional WEF+ Nexus Summit, 19-20 August 2024
By: Chris Scott
Date: 23 September 2024
Chris Scott, Penn State Co-Principal Investigator on the SustainFood network project, attended and presented at the international event, Accelerating Progress Towards Achieving the SDGs through Broadening the Water-Energy-Food (WEF+) Nexus, hosted by the South African Water Research Commission in Pretoria. In attendance were delegates from countries across Africa, Europe, and North America, who presented and discussed how the WEF Nexus can be expanded to address other challenges including the environment and health, especially to help local and regional partners make further progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In his presentation, Transdisciplinary WEF+ Science and Practice Networks SustainFood as a USA-Africa-Europe SDG 17 “Partnership for the Goals, Scott identified additional WEF+ challenges, including
climate, carbon, and migration, which the SustainFood network is working to address. More significantly, he made the point that networks like SustainFood require a transdisciplinary approach of researchers
and scientists partnering with policymakers, planners, communities, and regional groupings like many that were represented at the regional summit. These network-to-network interactions (a core goal of the
National Science Foundation’s AccelNet program that supports SustainFood) are examples of SDG 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”.
The summit provided an opportunity to develop and extend SustainFood’s WEF Nexus-focused networking, including with a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) WEF Nexus Dialogue
Project supported by the EU, with South African partner University of KwaZulu-Natal that is joining forces with the UN University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health to develop the African Academy on
Water, Environment, and Health. As part of his travels to the region, Scott also met with global WEF Nexus scholar, Mohammad Al-Saidi, of Qatar University and the Qatar National Research Foundation, and explored mutual interests in SustainFood plans in North Africa in 2025
by ndw5072 | Apr 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
SustainFood at WEFE Nexus International Conference
By: Laura Snyder
The Mediterranean region is uniquely affected by climate change and has consequently emerged as a global leader in sustainable development and resource management. The WEFE Nexus International Conference took place at the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco, from February 11-15. Organized by BONEX and SureNexus and funded by SustainFood partner organization PRIMA, the conference provided WEFE frameworks for policymakers addressing challenges related to water, food, energy, and ecosystems. The event explored governance frameworks for effective WEFE resource management, highlighted the critical role of gender in Nexus approaches, and showcased innovative solutions, including ancestral resource management practices and analytical tools.
The BONEX project aims to provide practical and adapted tools, examine concrete and context-adapted technological innovations, enhance policies and governance and facilitate WEFe Nexus practical implementation that balances the social, economic, and ecological trade-offs. BONEX hosts demonstrations of sustainable agricultural technologies such as smart greenhouses and desalination in the Mediterranean region, including Morocco, Italy, Portugal, Jordan, Lebanon, Spain, and Tunisia. These demonstrations are models of successful sustainable WEF resource management and provide inspiration for policymakers in EU and Noth African countries to pursue sustainable development.
SureNexus addresses water instability in the Mediterranean region through a network of community-led practices that implement sustainable technologies within the WEFE Nexus. These interconnected projects tackle poverty and climate challenges by providing solutions for water sanitation, sustainable economic development, and food security. By fostering local efforts, SureNexus creates a collaborative network that empowers communities to share knowledge and best practices, contributing to a global vision of sustainability.
The WEFE Nexus International Conference brought together researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners to explore solutions for sustainable development. The conference theme, “Exploring and Bridging Nexus for a Sustainable Future,” was addressed by dozens of speakers from around the world, including Dr. Michael Jacobson and Dr. Bassel Daher, both active participants in the SustainFood Network.
Dr. Jacobson, a professor of forest resources at Penn State University, spoke on policy and institutional frameworks for water, energy, and food, emphasizing their role in sustainable development. His work integrates teaching and research to develop innovative solutions within the WEFE Nexus, with a focus on bioenergy, finance, and economics.
Dr. Daher, Assistant Director for Sustainable Development at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Biological & Agricultural Engineering, and Research Fellow at the Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Texas A&M University, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the role of analytics and governance in enabling sustainable systems transformation through case studies from Texas, Qatar, Jordan, and Lebanon. He also examined both the opportunities and the barriers to leveraging IoT and AI technologies to enhance WEFE nexus management.
The WEFE Nexus International Conference facilitated the application of knowledge and emerging technologies to complex challenges in WEFE sustainability. The conference provided a dynamic platform for progress by mobilizing and testing existing tools, operationalizing new approaches, and scaling solutions from local to international levels. BONEX hosts demonstrations of sustainable agricultural technologies across the Mediterranean region, including Morocco, Italy, Portugal, Jordan, Lebanon, Spain, and Tunisia. These demonstrations serve as models for successful WEFE resource management and offer inspiration for EU policymakers to pursue sustainable development initiatives.
by ndw5072 | Apr 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Call for Applications for the 2025 Collaborative Learning School Hackathon in Morocco
The Sustainfood project is pleased to announce a call for applications for a Water-Energy-Food Nexus Collaborative Learning School Hackathon in Morocco. The Collaborative Learning School (CLS) is a field-based workshop led by U.S., European and African scientists and practitioners. The CLS connects participants with farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders at the community level to assess food security challenges and identify innovative solutions using the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus framework.
For more information see
Application Page: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmpa75EJ228JKJoKQGLSRIl0DPUuzDITRvfgngh1jhd5NTWg/viewform?usp=sharing
Website: https://sustainfood.psu.edu/morocco/
